Sijnn Wine of Malgas White 2019
₪160
Wine of Origin
Malgas, Western Cape, South Africa.
In the vineyard
The complex stony soils, together with a warm dry climate (350 mm of rain annually) moderated by constant sea breezes provides an ideal terroir to produce something unique. The wine is mostly two high quality, low yielding clones of Chenin Blanc on drought resistant rootstocks. The blend includes Viognier and Roussanne for added complexity. 2019 was the first vintage of Verdelho and a small quantity was added, a promising variety for our blend. All vines are grown as bush vines due to the exceptional low yield and vigor, from 9-year-old & 14-year-old blocks with a yield of 400kg/dunam of Chenin Blanc and 300kg/dunam of other varietals.
2019 was one of the earlier starts to harvest after a dry growing season and a record low of 190 mm rainfall in 2018, marked by warm and dry weather at the beginning of the ripening season, with occasional rain toward the end of harvest. The Moderate weather with cool nights continued throughout the harvest period producing wines with excellent acidity - a smaller crop of great quality.
In the cellar
The grapes were handpicked and sorted in the vineyards in the early morning to ensure that cool grapes arrive at the adjoining cellar. The 2019 vintage is marked by whole-bunch pressing in a traditional basket press, with about 20% gently destemmed and crushed, and left on the skins for 2 hours. The juice is barrel fermented in 400 and 700-liter French oak barrels, about 10% new oak, for 10 months. The wine was left on the lees, which adds a lot of texture and balance. It was lightly fined with bentonite, unfiltered, and bottled by hand.
Tasting notes
Sijnn White 2019 has a beautiful limpid gold color in the glass with a caramelized pineapple and a stony, savory nose. It boasts a rich and full-bodied flavor profile with a vibrant palate of honey and salted liquorice, peach pith, apple and pear skins and slate. Its lovely minerality enhances the freshness and acidity of the wine. A good tannin structure comes from the slight skin contact and hints of fennel and rosemary linger in the glass. Drinking best from 2021.
Food pairing
This wine can be paired with a variety of foods, but a favorite would be a good butter chicken curry.
Cultivars
84% Chenin Blanc, 14% Viognier, 2% Roussanne and Verdelho.
Analysis
Alcohol: 13.89%
Residual Sugar: 2.3 g/l
Acidity: 6.7 g/l
pH: 3.16
NOT KOSHER