Patina, Syrah 2019

The nose is brooding and intense with an abundance of dark berry fruit, juicy black plums and brambles, and whiffs of aniseed, leather and charcoal. Blueberries, blackberry and liquorice follow through onto a savoury palate with complex flavours of black olives, white pepper and chalk dust. The mid palate is plummy and spicy with some gamey, earthy notes and hints of tar. The wine is medium to full-bodied, dense and fleshy, with a solid core of fruit and grippy, fine tannins, with enough acidity to balance. Dark chocolate, exotic spice and cocoa powder linger in the mouth.

The property is situated on the Riebeeksrivier Road, between Riebeek-Kasteel and Malmesbury and sits on the south-western slopes of the Kasteelberg. This pocket of the Swartland undoubtedly produces some of the finest grapes in the appellation.The soil types on Goldmine include Brown Schist, Blue Schist, Quartz along with deposits of Table Mountain Sandstone (weathered and washed from the Kasteelberg). The bedrock is deep Schist. Our experience of Goldmine and its soils results in concentrated, yet finessed, textured and well-structured wines. The name Patina is derived from its source. Relating gold prospectors with their mining pans and the patina that developed on their equipment over time.

Syrah grows exceptionally well on the schist and decomposed dolomitic granite of the Swartland and has found its home in this warm, Mediterranean terroir at the foothills of the Kasteelberg. Grapes for Patina was sourced solely from our Goldmine Farm along the Riebeeks River. Although the drought conditions continued in the Western Cape, our fruit was harvested in ideal conditions with small, concentrated berries providing textbook analyses. We opted for 100% whole-bunch spontaneous fermentation in concrete vats to create structure and to enhance classic perfume aromas and complexity. The wine was elevated in classic European foudres for 18 months.

• Alcohol: 14.06% vol
• RS: 2.7 g/l
• TA: 5.1 g/l
• pH: 3.81
• W.O. Swartland