Gabriëlskloof Syrah on sandstone 2017 Bot River

Syrah 100%

Syrah from Sandstone is produced with grapes grown in a single vineyard, located in mountainous terrain with broken sandstone soils. This is a harsh environment for vines to grow, so growth is limited and yields low. As a consequence the grapes produced have intense, complex flavours. The fruit is hand picked into small crates and chilled overnight before crushing. 40% of the crop is added as whole bunches, the rest is destemmed. Fermentation is with natural yeasts. The wine is aged in 500L French Oak barrels, (30% first fill,) for 18 months before bottling.

Gabriëlskloof is a family-owned-and-run wine estate just outside Botrivier. The farm and vineyards were established in 2000, with their first vintage made in the cellar in 2009. Some years on, they are confident that their roots dig ever deeper into Botrivier, their understanding of the terroir will grow, along with wines that elegantly, understatedly, simply speak for themselves

Botrivier, which is located to the south-east of Stellenbosch, has a Mediterranean climate, which means longer growing seasons with moderate to warm temperatures.