Technical Analysis
As part of the Reserve range. the Beyerskloof Synergy Cape Blend represents not only the Synergy between the most popular red grape varieties, but all combine the classic European with the New World wine styles. This Cape Blend shows the best characteristics of Pinotage and how they can be complemented by an array of varietals.
Tasting note
Fresh red and dark fruit with spicy aromas upon entry. A well-balanced wine with soft round tannins and a pleasant finish. A blend of 52% Pinotage, 20% Merlot, 21% Cabernet Sauvignon & 7% Shiraz.
Vintage conditions
It was a dry winter and spring with relatively normal cold units. Budding of the vineyards started slightly earlier than normal due to a warm start to spring, with ideal growth conditions up until the last month of the year. In December, much-needed rain helped with vineyards’ water reserves before harvest. The bad news was that, in December and early January, there was high disease pressure in the vineyards. The harvest started 7 days earlier than 2022 at the Beyerskloof cellar, with Pinotage and Pinot Noir being the first grapes picked. February flew by with everything ripening at the same time, and by the end of the month, all the Pinotage was in the cellar. The end of February and March brought a lot of rain, making it very difficult to decide when was the optimum time to harvest the Merlot and Cabernets. Hard calls were made during the end of the harvest, but the quality of the late cultivars was good. By far the wettest and toughest harvest in a long time, in terms of picking the grapes at optimum ripeness. Even though it was one of the most challenging vintages, an above-average yield and great wines were made.
Vinification details
Grapes were handpicked from vines in the Bottelary area. Fermentation took place in open fermenters for 4-6 days. After Malolactic Fermentation the wine went to French oak barrels for 12-15 months.
AWARDS
Tim Atkin MW: 92 pts
Technical Analysis
As part of the Reserve range. the Beyerskloof Synergy Cape Blend represents not only the Synergy between the most popular red grape varieties, but all combine the classic European with the New World wine styles. This Cape Blend shows the best characteristics of Pinotage and how they can be complemented by an array of varietals.
Tasting note
Fresh red and dark fruit with spicy aromas upon entry. A well-balanced wine with soft round tannins and a pleasant finish. A blend of 34% Pinotage, 31% Merlot, 27% Cabernet Sauvignon & 8% Shiraz.
Vintage conditions
Ideal winter conditions supplemented water reserves and contributed to even growth, which provided an excellent foundation for the 2022 crop. Following a cool run-up to the season, sudden heat peaks in December and January resulted in sunburn damage on certain vineyard blocks. At the same time, unexpected rainfall led to high disease pressure that caused challenges in minimising the effects of powdery and downy mildew. As temperatures remained moderate throughout the rest of the season, the grapes took their time to reach optimum ripeness, and the start of harvest was delayed by 10-14 days. The 2022 crop was larger than 2021 due to ideal winter conditions. The quality of the 2022 vintage wines currently in the cellar, is indicative of another classic Stellenbosch vintage.
Vinification details
Grapes were picked at optimum ripeness. Made in open fermenters on the skins for 5-8 days at an average temp. of 26°C. Punching of the cap was done every 2 hours to extract good colour and flavours from the grapes. After malolactic fermentation in stainless steel tanks, the wine aged in French oak for 12 months.
Technical Analysis
As part of the Reserve range. the Beyerskloof Synergy Cape Blend represents not only the Synergy between the most popular red grape varieties, but all combine the classic European with the New World wine styles. This Cape Blend shows the best characteristics of Pinotage and how they can be complemented by an array of varietals.
Tasting note
Upfront dark fruit/cassis aromas with hints of oak on the background. Fresh dark fruit and spicy aromas upon entry. A well-balanced wine with soft round tannins and a pleasant finish. A blend of 45% Pinotage, 23% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Shiraz, 1% Cinsaut and 1% Pinot Noir
Vintage conditions
It was a cool, wet growing season that replenished the water reserves.
Harvest started the first week of February and ended the last week of March 2021. This harvest had some challenges with COVID restrictions, lockdown, and some rain that made planning difficult. Overall, the quality of the wines shows lots of promise.
Vinification details
Grapes were picked at optimum ripeness. Made in open fermenters on the skins for 5-8 days at an average temp. of 26°C. Punching of the cap was done every 2 hours to extract good colour and flavours from the grapes. After malolactic fermentation in stainless steel tanks, the wine aged in French oak for 12 months.
AWARDS
Tim Atkin MW: 90 pts
Technical Analysis
As part of the Reserve range. the Beyerskloof Synergy Cape Blend represents not only the Synergy between the most popular red grape varieties, but all combine the classic European with the New World wine styles. This Cape Blend shows the best characteristics of Pinotage and how they can be complemented by an array of varietals.
Tasting note
Upfront dark fruit/cassis aromas with hints of oak on the background. Fresh dark fruit and spicy aromas upon entry. A well-balanced wine with soft round tannins and a pleasant finish. A blend of 60% Pinotage, 15% Merlot, 16% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Shiraz, 2% Cinsaut and 2% Pinot Noir
Vintage conditions
It was a relatively normal growing season in the vineyards for a change. There was good rainfall at the end of October that helped with even ripening for the mid to early cultivars. The late cultivars still needed additional water to ensure optimum ripeness. The harvest started in early February at the Beyerskloof cellar with Pinotage and Pinot Noir. From then, the harvest was bumper to bumper as it seems everything ripened at the same time. The last fermentation finished just before the first lockdown. In general, the grapes were healthy and the quality looked better than in 2019. The crop was also bigger compared to the past 4 years!
Vinification details
Grapes were picked at optimum ripeness. Made in open fermenters on the skins for 5-8 days at an average temp. of 25°C. Punching of the cap was done every 2 hours to extract good colour and flavours from the grapes. After malolactic fermentation in stainless steel tanks, the wine aged in French oak for 12 months.
