Five centuries ago the ancient mariners braved uncharted seas to round the Cape of Good Hope in search of exotic spices. Their nerve and dash inspire the Spice Route philosophy. We have found our signature wine style in the rolling hills along the Cape’s West Coast, where unirrigated vines produce grapes with small thick skinned berries – ripe fruit that is dense, rich and full flavoured. A passionate dedication to exceptional quality and traditional hand crafting captures the essence of this fruit in the wines of the Spice Route.

IN THE VINEYARD:

Planted in 2006, these younger un-irrigated bushvines from Amoskuil farm have started to show promising results, with the potential to produce complex wines. Even the antelope that roam wild on the farm have particular preference for the fruit from this vineyard, often nibbling on the low-hanging bushvine fruit.

HARVEST DATE: 6 March 2014

WINEMAKING:

The grapes were hand-picked, benefitting from abundant water thanks to the late 2013 rains. Fermented in open concrete fermenters with manual punching down of the skins. The wine was gently pressed off the skins and transferred to old French oak barrels for malolactic fermentation, guaranteeing the integrity of its delicate fruit. The wine was matured for 14 months further in these barrels.

WINEMAKER’S COMMENTS:

“This is the third vintage of Spice Route Grenache, and a fine vintage for the variety. 2014 offered wines of sheer elegance in our neck of the woods benefitting our Grenache in particular, which continues to prove that the “King of Grapes” has great potential in the Swartland. “

– Enjoy!” – Charl du Plessis 

TASTING NOTE:

Vibrant light red colour. Red berry fruit and subtle pepper harmonize with cardamom and iron-like spice. This elegantly built wine benefits from a lightness which does not hinder its complexity. Fine tannins and good acidity will help this wine evolve well over the next few years in bottle.

[Category: Red Wines, Spice Route]