Painted Wolf Swartland Syrah 2015

Tasting Notes: A rich harmonious full bodied wine with juicy dark fruit, savory smoked ham, all spice and aromatic wood aromas. The wine has a coating mid palate and a long finish. The acid is bright and the tannins are ripe and present.

The story of this wine: Grapes are from our good friend and pack member, Billy ‘Guillermo’ Hughes. Billy and his late wife Penny, were amongst the first investors in our dream, trading grapes for a share in Painted Wolf. Billy is an uncompromising exponent of organic and naturally farmed grapes with a keen interest in biodynamics. From 2013, his Kasteelsig vineyard has been organically certified.

Our friend Jenny Metelerkamp who lived with us at Lloyd’s camp, Botswana produced the fine Painted Wolf ink drawing for our logo and the pack labels.

Food suggestions: A savoury and spicy wine which is great with French country dishes such as cassoulet or a beef daube Provençal. It is also delicious with grilled regional sausages like Toulouse sausages. Amazing with simply prepared dry-aged rump or ribeye steak, seasoned with a little sea salt and crushed black pepper, served with a few sautéed mushrooms, ideally cep or porcini, and a dash of the best extra virgin olive oil.

The vineyard: Our partner Billy Hughes grows organic grapes at Kasteelsig vineyard in the Swartland region. The grapes are dry farmed.  Soil in the vineyard is primarily Glenrosa, a composite soil of decomposed shale with a little granite.  Vines are 14 years old and the yield in 2015 was around 6 tons to the hectare.

Winemaking: The fruit was harvested at around 24 balling, pressed and settled before being fermented in barrel with natural wild yeast. The barrels used are large 2^nd and 3^rd fill French oak barrels. Fermentation was very slow.

Ageing Potential: This Syrah is drinking well now and will improve in the bottle till 2022 and beyond.