NGERINGA Syrah 2008
The first release of NGERINGA Syrah solely comprising of fruit from our Nairne vineyard.
Planted on a westerly facing slope on the immediate foothills of the Mt Barker Summit at 420m altitude, the Nairne vineyard soil sparkles with micaceous schist amidst a shallow sandy loam over clay. A challenging viticultural site with the potential for very distinctive wines.
TASTING NOTES
A bountiful nose of juicy, red plums, liquorice, blueberry and subtle cinnamon, nutmeg spice. On the palate, unmistakeable black pepper, blue berry and blood plum. Brambly. Soft and yielding tannins. Delicious length with fresh, pure finish.
WINEMAKING NOTES
The Syrah was picked in first half of March, with much hand sorting in the winery to de-select any berry shrivel. Minimal whole bunch or stalks included in fermentation. The few parcels that made it in to this wine spent from 14 to 28 days on skins. Nearly 2 years of ‘elevage’ in French Oak barriques and puncheons with one racking after the first year. Approximately 30% new French oak used.
Wild fermentation, no enzymes, oxidative handling prefermentation, reserved use of oak barrels, spontaneous malolactic fermentation, gentle extraction, warmer fermentation, minimal & rare temperature control. Minimal fining. Estate bottled.
VINTAGE NOTES
2008 had a different
rhythm to 2007. We had a glimmer of average winter rainfall which was followed
by a dry spring. Then temperatures
throughout January & February were perfectly below 30, ideal ripening
conditions it seemed. Silly we were
however to think that Gaia didn’t carry some summer fury. We were only half way through harvest (the
pinot and chardonnay were just in) a record breaking spell of extreme
temperature reared its head across south eastern Australia. What we’d already picked was unhampered by
the heat, and that which we then brought in wasn’t hanging long enough for the
heat to be too detrimental.
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