Merindol Syrah

Stellenbosch, South Africa

2018

The name Merindol is taken from the Malan Coat of Arms and is the French village where the Malan family originated. The Merindol vineyard is planted on a deep red Hutton soil of weathered granite origin. These are the most sought after soils for growing premium red wine. The high clay percentage has a high water retention capacity and this sustains the vines during the dry summer months. The vineyard was planted in 1996 with a French Shiraz clone SH 99.

Tasting Notes

This opulent Syrah displays a purplish maroon color with a dark core. Alluring notes of ripe raspberry, cranberry and cherry, as well as some savory notes, are followed by whiffs of allspice and cedar wood. A subtle and balanced acidity lifts the good concentration of dark berry and cranberry with an umami finish and touches of dark chocolate. Balanced wood integration makes for a well-structured wine with expressed tannins in its youth that will benefit with bottle aging. The wine, in fact, can be cellared for 8-10 years.

Vineyards

The Merindol vineyard is planted on a deep red Hutton soil of weathered granite origin. These are the most sought after soils for growing premium red wine. The high clay percentage has a high water retention capacity and this sustains the vines during the dry summer months. The vineyard was planted in 1996 with a French Shiraz clone SH 99.

Vintage Notes

It was a challenging, early and very dry harvest. Most other regions, especially the Swartland, produced significant smaller crops, but at Simonsig Estate we produced 2% more than 2015. The Shiraz grapes delivered good concentration of color and fruit.

Winemaking

Fermentation peaked at 80.6° F, with regular and controlled pump overs that resulted in sufficient color, fruit and tannin extraction. There were 20 days of extended maceration before pressing. Malolactic fermentation took place in new French oak barrels. The 2016 vintage wine is aged for 18 months in 100% new French Oak Barriques.

Technical Information

Vintage:: 2018
Alcohol:: 14.4%
Region:: Stellenbosch
RS:: 4.3G/L
Varietals:: 100% Syrah
PH:: 3.69
TA:: 4.9G/L

Accolades

96 points

Decanter

July 2022

A wonderfully perfumed expression with top notes of red cherry, violets and peppercorn spice. Lithe and elegant; a long, cool weightless concentration makes for a serious glass of wine. Daniel Grigg: Brooding dark fruits, blackcurrant jam, damson and black plum. Notes of black olive tapenade. Roger Jones: Clean, focused and layered with a nice balance of spiced damsons, crunchy blueberries and hints of cedar, some dry savory mouthfeel at the end, which opens to bring in sweet-cured bacon.

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