Inkspot Vin Noir 2005

Darling is a unique spot for growing grapes. In its deep clay soils, the roots of unirrigated vines burrow to depths of more than 8 metres in search of moisture. After expending all this effort a vine may often produce less than one litre of wine.

The effect of the cooling breezes off the nearby Atlantic Ocean is to preserve flavour in the berries.

Inkspot – a wine of inky concentration with an unparalleled richness in the mouth. The prime expression of low-yielding, dryland bush vines.

STOP PRESS: Inkspot was awarded Four Stars in the 2008 John Platter Wine Guide and a Silver Medal on the Decanter Wine Awards!

Suitable for pairing with spicy modern cuisine, or even as an on-the-rocks aperitif in summer.

VINEYARD INFORMATION

Age of Vines:

Pinotage: 1987, 2000

Shiraz: 2000

Cinsaut: 1966, 1971

Trellising:

Bush vines and trellised

Irrigation:

Only trellised vines irrigated

Soil:

Decomposed granite, Oakleaf, Tukulu

Position:

East-facing slope

CELLAR INFORMATION

Harvest date:

Harvest Sugar:

25.5 to 27

Yield:

4.5 tons/hectare

Fermentation:

Both Pinotage and Shiraz - three days' cold soak before innoculation. Fermentation 28 - 30 degrees. Pinotage - pressed 4 days after innoculation

Shiraz - On skins for 15 days, transferred to barrels after malolactic fermentation was completed in stainless steel tanks.

Cinsaut: 30% of juice was drained before fermentation for Rosé. Cinsaut fermented for eight days on skins before pressing.

Maturation:

12% aged in French Oak barriques for 12 months

Bottling date:

Mar 2007

Alc:

14.83 %

RS:

5.10 g/l

Extr:

31.60 g/l

pH:

3.85

TA:

5.2 g/l