SORGA 2006

My search for the next batch of BLANKbottle took me to the Simonsberg, just outside Stellenbosch. With wineries like Kanonkop, Muratie, Delheim and Remhoogte, the area’s popularity is based on some solid Cab’s and interesting Pinotage’s. I had the priviledge to meet a young and interesting winemaker named Marius Malan. Wineglass in hand, we descended the steep steps into his barrel cellar, and emmerged 4 hours later with tired taste buds and purple teeth. With a solid education in winemaking Marius is not afaraid to experiment. He ventures into the unknown, adding unusual dimensions to his wines with absolute precision. He experiments with literally hundreds of new methods, bridging the gap between cultivars and vintages. And so came about the SORGA Stellenbosch Cabernet Sauvignon / Shiraz 2006. Positioned on a five wire trellising, this 16 -19 year old Cabernet Sauvignon is planted in decomposed granite on the North-West slopes of the Simonsberg. Harvesting took place between March 14th – April 2nd 2006. (Production - 4.69 Tons/ha). The grapes were fermented between 25 and 28ºC using commercial yeast and Malolactic fermentation was completed in 225 litre barrels. The Shiraz is planted (16 years) on a South-West facing, Deep Hutton. Harvesting took place on the 16th of March 2006 with 8 Tons/ha. It was fermented above 30 degree Celsius for a week and left on the skins for another 20 days. The wine was given 2 pump-overs per day during fermentation and maceration. The wine underwent natural malolactic fermentation in stainless steel and was transferred to oak shortly afterwards. Both wines were aged in 86% French oak and 14% American oak for 16 months. We then made up the blend with 66% Cabernet and 34% Shiraz, gave it a light fining, filtration and bottled on the 16th of July 2007. Alcohol: 14% pH: 3.49 Total acidity: 6.26 g/l Residual Sugar: 2.71 g/l