Waterford Estate, Grenache Single Vineyard 2021

Description

PHILOSOPHY
At Waterford Estate, we embrace the harmonious collaboration between nature and the delicate balance of artistry and science to create truly authentic fine wines. Our wines embody a profound sense of place, culture, and an unwavering dedication to excellence. With a deep-rooted belief in transcending boundaries, we craft wines that offer a sensory journey, capturing the true essence of
the Helderberg Mountain’s terroir.

A World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Conservation Champion and accredited Integrated Production of Wine (IPW) estate, Waterford also has Wine and Agricultural Ethical Trade Association (WIETA) accreditation and is a member of the Biodiversity in Wine Initiative (BWI).

VINTAGE REVIEW
The 2021 vintage witnessed both high heat and substantial rainfall. The rain provided essential nutrients for a healthy crop, while the heat contributed to excellent fruit structure and ripeness. However, harvesting our late- ripening varietals proved challenging due to excessive rainfall. Precision in choosing the harvest time was critical to ensure optimal grape concentration.

VINEYARD
The single vineyard is planted on the rockiest sandstone slopes at Waterford Estate. This location is the most arid and warm site on the farm, making it ideal for Grenache.

VINIFICATION
The grapes are hand-harvested, de-stemmed but not crushed, and approximately 4% of the bunches are left whole. These whole berries and bunches are then placed in fermentation vessels and allowed to ferment for approximately 18 days. After fermentation, the grapes are pressed, and the wine is transferred to old 500L French oak barrels and porcelain jars for malolactic fermentation and ageing.

MATURATION
Aged in porcelain jars and neutral 500L French oak barrels for 14 months.

TASTING NOTES
ON RELEASE (Date tasted: June 2023
The wine has a ruby-red colour, leading to smoky cherry and vibrant red fruit aromas that build on the base of subtle liquorice spice aromatics. The palate reveals vibrant fruit flavours of cherries and cranberries, with a fresh acidity that adds vibrancy to the wine, a result of the cooler vintage. The tannins are refined and soft, serving to balance the acidity and showcase the salinity in the wine.
EVOLUTION AFTER 5 YEARS
Grenache is known for showing ageing characteristics at an early stage, with the wine turning a brown brickish color. The nose will show savoury fruit notes as the subtle baking spice character starts to take center stage. The palate will soften, with the vibrant acidity integrating further into the wine as the balance continues to shine with the wine’s lengthy mineral finish.

AGEING POTENTIAL
3 – 8 years from production

PAIRING SUGGESTIONS
Grenache’s versatility is a key factor in its popularity, appeasing all palates no matter the season. This wine excels in its ability to pair well with a wide variety of dishes, including roasted meats, fragrant stews, and Asian flavours, showcasing its exceptional complexity and impressive capacity to harmonise with these intricate and rich tastes.

WINE ANALYSIS
Alc 13.32%
TA 4.55 g/L
RS 1.4 g/L
pH 3.64

Additional information

This wine excels in its ability to pair well with a wide variety of dishes, including roasted meats, fragrant stews, and Asian flavours, showcasing its exceptional complexity and impressive capacity to harmonise with these intricate and rich tastes.