Newton Johnson Syrah Mourvedre Magnum 2005 150cl

4 x Magnum (150cl)

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Price

£135.46

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10% discount

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Colour
White
Vintage
2005
Producer
Newton Johnson
Country
SOUTH AFRICA
Region
STELLENBOSCH
Sub Region
STELLENBOSCH
Alcohol
14.8%
Product code
13NEW2M2005
Availability
1 case
Grape Variety
93% Syrah & 7% Mourvedre

Tasting Notes

Much closer in spirit to the Rhone than the Barossa, this is a spicy, peppery red with bright, deep cherry, raspberry fruit and floral, violet top notes. The tannins are firm but ripe adding real power to the palate.

Vinification Details.

The grapes are first chilled in a refrigerated room at -4 ºC and then destemmed and crushed directly into 2-ton open fermenters, no mash pump was used, and cold macerated for 3 days at 10 ºC. 54% of the fermentations are inoculated with slower fermenting yeasts, the remaining 46% are completed by natural fermentation and a combination of pigeage (punching down) and pumping over used depending on the type of extraction required. The fermentation temperatures peak at 28 - 32 ºC. A small percentage of wine is racked off the skins to complete the fermentation in new oak barriques. After pressing the remaining wine is racked and left to complete its malolactic fermentation and maturation in Burgundy oak barriques. 100% matured in barriques (228L) for approximately 12 to 13 months using a blend of 3 Burgundian cooperages. The oak used is of tighter grain and is specified to medium toasting. 36% of the barrels are new, 38% 2nd fill and 26% 3rd fill.

Producer Information

Newton Johnson Vineyards is owned and managed by the Newton Johnson family. They are based near the seaside town of Hermanus, an hour and a half's drive out of Cape Town. This is a popular tourist destination, famous for some of the most spectacular land-based whale watching in the world and also known for its bracing 'champagne' air, lush indigenous 'fynbos' (literally 'fine bush,' a Plant Kingdom exclusive to the Cape), mountain walks and bike trails. Their farm lies a close six kilometres from the Atlantic Ocean in the scenic Upper Hemel-en-Aarde Valley, a bit of "heaven on earth" as the name implies. This cool climate appellation is recognised as home to some of the Cape's finest Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Dave, a Cape Wine Master, has over 30 years' experience in the South African wine industry. He is ably assisted by his equally wine and food-focused wife, Felicity Newton. Her sons are Gordon and Bevan. Gordon, the winemaker, crafts the wines to translate the message of the soils into the wine. Bevan is the managing director and in charge of the marketing. His creative wife Ezanne is a freelance graphic artist with experience in the wine industry, and she adds flair to the promotional material. Come harvest time, you'll find the whole family working together in the cellar.

Regional info.

The majority of the grapes are sourced from the cool climate Hemel-en-Aarde valley near Walker Bay. Warmer climate Syrah fruit is sourced from Elgin, Durbanville and Upper Langkloof. The Mourvedre is from Botriver, Walker Bay.

The historical town of Stellenbosch, which features some of the finest examples of Cape Dutch architecture, boasts a winemaking tradition which stretches back to the end of the 17th-century. The mountainous terrain, good rainfall, deep well-drained soils and diversity of terroirs make this a sought-after viticultural area. The rapidly increasing number of wine estates and producers (in excess of 160) includes some of the most famous names in Cape wine. The district, with its mix of historic estates and contemporary wineries, produces excellent examples of almost all the noble grape varieties and is known for the quality of its blended reds.

Stellenbosch, the 'town of oaks', is also the educational and research centre of the winelands. Stellenbosch University is the only university in South Africa which offers a degree in viticulture and oenology, and it has many of the country's most successful winemakers as alumni. The Elsenburg School of Agriculture is also near Stellenbosch, as is the Nietvoorbij Institute of Viticulture and Oenology. This organisation has one of the most modern experimental wineries in the world and, at its experimental farms (situated in several winegrowing districts), important research into new varietals, clones and rootstocks is undertaken.

The intensively farmed Stellenbosch district has been divided up into several smaller viticultural pockets including Banghoek, Bottelary, Devon Valley, Jonkershoek Valley, Papegaaiberg, Polkadraai Hills and Simonsberg-Stellenbosch.

More information

ageing potential

1 to 10+ years

organic

vegans

climate

Cool, maritime

residual sugar

2.94g/l

vegetarians

Yes

food match

Steak frites

soil

Bokkeveld shale (high stone and clay content)

wine ph

3.51

makers name

Gordon Newton Johnson

total acidity

6.34g/l