Darling Cellars Gustus Skattie Pinotage Sweet Wine 2013

ageing : p3 – 6 years/p

The recent demarcation of the Darling district has led to a focus at Darling Cellars on wines which are terroir and varietally specific. The cool and temperate West Coast climate lends itself to a different micro- and mesoclimate which, along with the different types of soil, lead to unique grapes, which we guide into even more unique wines. Having 99% of all vineyards as dry land and almost the same percentage as bush vine, this is as close to what nature intended for grapes to be as one can get.

After a good long wet winter we had very even bud-break. A long cool growing season allowed to grapes to mature beautifully while retaining their natural acidity. 

Vineyards strategically planted on sites that allowed grapes to both ripen well while at the same time are not exposed to excessive heat allowing the grapes to mature slowly. Also the Darling area with its proximity to the Atlantic Ocean and the cool Benguela current running off of South Africa’s West Coast, has very cool evenings allowing the grapes to retain their natural acidity. Most vineyards are on deep soils, derived mostly from decomposed granite, that are clay rich, with good drainage.

Vineyard type: Bush Vine, no irrigation

Yield: 2-3 t/ha
Balling at Harvest: 45-50°B

Pre harvest done by pinching the bunches at 21°B to stop juice flow to buches. Grapes sundried on vines. Hand selected bunches from unirrigated bush vines left to wither in the sun. Crush and destalk, 15 days fermentation at 20-25°C on skin. Pressed at 5-10°B

Maturation: Aged in stainless steel tanks.
Fining agents used: none