Van Loggerenberg Wines Syrah Graft Stellenbosch 2022 750ml

ABOUT This wine has quickly become one of the benchmark Syrahs in South Africa, and with good reason. The name ‘Graft’ has a few meanings to Lukas, and the first of which relates to some very sound advice his grandfather gave. He told Lukas that was if you want to make a success of something, you need to put in the hard yards and graft (symbolized by the man working in the top left hand corner). Secondly, graft refers to the viticultural practice of joining a scion of one variety to the trunk of another, forming a stronger whole. Lukas continues with the ‘Karibib Vineyard’ as the source for this ultra-impressive Syrah, and he now shares this block with Reenen Borman for Sons of Sugarland, Sam Lambson of Minimalist Wines, as well as Jean Smits for Damascene. The granitic soils and cooler climate of the Polkadraai have proven to produce truly world-class Syrah, especially in the hands of the aforementioned winemakers. The fruit was hand-harvested and naturally fermented in large open top stainless-steel entirely whole-bunch without any additions. The fruit was manually trodden daily over the course of the next 21 days. The lots were then pressed directly to a mix of 70% concrete and 30% second-fill French oak barrels for maturation. Following 11 months of aging peacefully, the barrels were racked to tank to settle naturally and bottled without fining or filtration. DATA Grapes: 100% Syrah Vineyard: Karibib Vineyard Vine Age: 16-years-old Soil Type: Decomposed granitic sand Viticulture: Sustainable - practicing organic Fermentation: Native – large inert plastic tanks (100% whole-cluster) Skin Contact: 21 days Aging: 11 months in concrete (70%) and second-fill French oak (30%) Alcohol: 14.2% pH: 3.62 Total Acidity: 4.9 g/L Total SO2: 65 ppm Total Production: 333 cases UPC: 0606110388450 TASTING NOTE Indigo in color. Fresh aromas of black pepper, dried rosemary, oregano, and olive tapenade. The nose melds seamlessly into the medium-bodied palate laced with a mineral dusting against a finely tannic frame. Open in its youth, this wine is ready to drink now. PRESS Tim Atkin, MW | 96 The WineMag | 95 VInous | 97