Rockview Ridge Pinot Noir 2018

Vinbeskrivelse

Shannon Rockview Ridge Pinot Noir 2018

Elgin’s climate is milder than the average Mediterranean climate. Snow occasionally covers the highest peaks. The “Black South-Easter” known for its gusting cold winds and rain showers is the result of strong summer south-easterly maritime winds blowing off the South Atlantic Ocean 12 kilometers away. This creates a cloud mantle across the Elgin valley, markedly lowering daytime temperatures. This cool climate ensures long, slow ripening of the grapes under ideal growing conditions, with the sugar, pH, acid and avour compounds in balance to produce elegant and re ned wines. ShannonVineyards grapes ripen later than other Cape vineyards and are in perfect balance. Elgin is classified as Region II on the Winkler scale. Growing conditions on the north facing slopes are similar to Bordeaux and its south facing slopes similar to Burgundy.

TECHNICAL NOTES
The Pinot Noir bunches are chilled to 3oC before being sorted on a conveyor and de-stemmed. Berries are then hand sorted, before cold maceration ensues for 3 to 6 days at 8oC. Slower fermenting cultured yeasts are used for some of the fermentations while ± 80% of the blend is naturally/wild fermented. Fermentation temperatures vary between 26 – 30oC, depending on the nature of the sites. After pressing, the wine is racked and left to complete its malolactic fermentation and maturation in oak barriques.

STYLING
Considerable emphasis is placed on vineyard site selection and identi cation, within the variations of three basic components of the soil: clay, sand, and stone. These are expressed in a range of avours from vibrant raspberry, strawberry, currant and cherry. Each parcel is vinified and matured separately to enhance its individuality, before combining in the final blend. We respect the power and elegance delivered in this beautiful expression of a balanced bright red to darker berried avour spectrum, delivered by the final blend of 57% older Dijon clones PN 113 & 115 to the 49% newer Dijon clone PN 667, in our Shannon “Rockview Ridge” Pinot Noir.

MATURATION
100% matured in barriques (228L) for approximately 12 months using a blend of 3 Burgundian cooperages. The oak used is of a tighter grain and medium toasted. New oak – 30%, 2nd fill – 40%, 3rd fill – 30%.

WINE ANALYSES

Variety: 100% Pinot Noir
Alcohol: 14.61 %
Acidity: 3.5
pH: 5.6 g/l
Residual sugar: 2.2 g/l

Clones planted : PN 113, 114, 115, 667 and 777 (12 vineyard blocks)
Rootstock : Richter 110 and 101-14
Soil types : From heavy “na-bank (Afrikaans) clays and iron enriched Bokkeveld shales to silica quartz encrusted Table Mountain Sandstones.
Aspect of vineyards : South, South East and east facing slopes.
Ha planted : 6 ha
Planting distance : 2.2m x 1m & 2.2m x 1.2m
Vines per hectare : 3787 to 4545 vines
Trellis system : Vertical shoot positioning -5-wire Hedge system.
Irrigation : Combination of drip & micro irrigation.
Average Production : 3-4 tons per hectare (19-26 hl/ha).
Harvest dates : Last week of February and rst week of March.
Altitude : 260 metres to 300 metres above sea level.
Temperature : Average growing season temperature of a cool 17,5°C.
Rainfall : Summers are dry with abundant rainfall, mostly in the winter months.