Technical Analysis
Darling Cellars' Old Bush Vine range comes from specific old bush vines which are selected for their typicity in reflecting their soils and location.
Tasting note
An irresistible, well balanced red wine, with a bright ruby red colour and sour cherries, red cherries and candy floss on the nose. The fruity palate is delicious with earthiness and flavours of white pepper followed by a fresh acidity on the pallet. Grape tannins very well supported by the oak tannins. The wine finishes with a long aftertaste.
Vinification details
The grapes were selected from un-irrigated bush vines, then destalked and crushed into small open fermenters and cold soaked for two days before 14 days’ fermentation at 20-24°C. The best free run wine was matured in 100% French oak (1st, 2nd and 3rd-fill) for 22 months before the best 7 barrels were selected for the final blend.
AWARDS
Platter: 93 pts
Tim Atkin MW: 91 pts
IWSC: Silver
Tasting Video
From the 2022 South African Wine championships with Cathy van Zyl MW and J.V Ridon ASI Diploma
Technical Analysis
Darling Cellars' Old Bush Vine range comes from specific old bush vines which are selected for their typicity in reflecting their soils and location.
Tasting note
A well-balanced red wine, with a bright ruby red colour and sour cherries, red cherries and candy floss on the nose. The fruity palate displays earthiness and flavours of white pepper followed by a fresh acidity and good length. Coming from 39-year-old vineyards, the wine carries South Africa's 'certified heritage vineyards' seal.
Vinification details
The grapes were selected from un-irrigated bush vines, then destalked and crushed into small open fermenters and cold soaked for five days before 14 days’ fermentation at 20-24°C. The best free run wine was matured in a combination of French and American oak (2nd- and 3rd-fill) for 22 months before the best barrels were selected for the final blend.
Technical Analysis
Darling Cellars' Old Bush Vine range comes from specific old bush vines which are selected for their typicity in reflecting their soils and location.
Tasting note
A well-balanced red wine, with a bright ruby red colour and sour cherries, red cherries and candy floss on the nose. The fruity palate displays earthiness and flavours of white pepper followed by a fresh acidity and good length. Coming from 38-year-old vineyards, the wine carries South Africa's 'certified heritage vineyards' seal.
Vinification details
Grapes were crushed and destalked into small open fermenters where they underwent a cold soak for two days before fermentation started. This was followed by 14 days’ fermentation at 20-24°C, with the free run and press wine kept separately. Barrel maturation took place in 100% French oak (1st, 2nd and 3rd fill) for 22 months. Only the best seven barrels were selected for the blend.
Technical Analysis
Darling Cellars' Old Bush Vine range comes from specific old bush vines which are selected for their typicity in reflecting their soils and location.
Tasting note
A well-balanced red wine, with a bright ruby red colour and sour cherries, red cherries and candy floss on the nose. The fruity palate displays earthiness and flavours of white pepper followed by a fresh acidity and good length. Coming from 38-year-old vineyards, the wine carries South Africa's 'certified heritage vineyards' seal.
Vinification details
Grapes were crushed and destalked into small open fermenters where they underwent a cold soak for two days before fermentation started. This was followed by 14 days’ fermentation at 20-24°C, with the free run and press wine kept separately. Barrel maturation took place in 100% French oak (1st, 2nd and 3rd fill) for 15 months. Only the best seven barrels were selected for the blend.
Technical Analysis
Darling Cellars' Old Bush Vine range comes from specific old bush vines which are selected for their typicity in reflecting their soils and location.
Tasting note
A well-balanced red wine, with a bright ruby red colour and sour cherries, strawberries and a hint of oak on the nose. Flavours of red pepper, spice, raspberries and a hint of sweet vanilla are followed by a nice fresh acidity on the palate and good length.
Vintage conditions
The winter and spring leading up to the 2016 vintage were among the driest in recent years. Normal rainfall in the area is about 450mm, but in 2016 this was only 176mm. Winter temperatures were not as cold as normal; unfortunately there was an unexpected heat wave at the end of October that rushed some of the earlier cultivars and meant that the veraison period was shorter than normal. After that temperatures stayed on the higher-than-normal side and the rain stayed away. The ripening period was subsequently shorter than normal due to the drier and warmer conditions. With very little rain during the berry-setting and ripening period, the berries stayed very small, giving extra concentration, intense flavours and a very good colour.
Vinification details
Grapes were crushed and destalked into small open fermenters where they underwent a cold soak for two days before fermentation started. This was followed by 14 days’ fermentation at 20-24°C, with the free run and press wine kept separately. Barrel maturation took place in 100% French oak (1st, 2nd and 3rd fill) for 15 months. Only the best seven barrels were selected for the blend.
