Benguela Cove ‘L.C.’ Syrah 2022

Benguela Cove ‘Lighthouse Collection’ Syrah 2022

Winemaking

The vineyards selected for this wine was meant to evoke the inherent dark berry fruit and spiciness Syrah is known for. The vines were managed with great care to aid even ripening and complexity. The grapes were cooled overnight followed by bunch and berry sorting the next morning. After three days of cold maceration, the juice was allowed to warm up to 16°C. To enhance the intrinsic qualities of Syrah, the must was inoculated with selected yeast strains to accentuate spicy and fruity aromas. Alcoholic fermentation lasted about eight days during which gentle pump overs encouraged delicate flavour and colour extraction. Pressed off the skins when fermentation was completed, the wine was settled in tank and transferred to the barrels for malolactic fermentation to smooth out its edges. Oak maturation: 16 months

Tasting Notes

The 2022 vintage opens boldly with abundant violet, marzipan, and mulberry notes. Over time, nuances of leather, cherry tobacco leaf, and pepper emerge, heightening its aromatic complexity. The palate reveals a sweet and smoky savoury character, carrying mouth-filling intensity. Well-chiseled silky tannins support the wine, concluding with lingering dark chocolate and blueberry fruit flavors, making it both refined and vibrant.

Analysis

Alcohol: 14.0 %
Residual Sugar: 2.8 g/l
Total Acidity: 5.3 g/l
pH: 3.58
Wine of Origin: Walker Bay

Personality

This Syrah perfectly reflects the Benguela Cove terroir in a glass. A gentle approach in the cellar helped to encapsulate our unique location at the southern tip of Africa. As an ode to the New-World, the fruit-forward Syrah aims to please those in search of a wine with great concentration. With enough restrain, freshness and bold tannin, this wine will certainly age well, although you might be tempted to drink it straight away.