Newton Johnson Full Stop Rock 2019

$45.00

Product Notes

BACKGROUND
The lower slopes of the Newton Johnson farm are undeniably suited to Rhône/Mediterranean grape varieties. Alluvial deposits of large stone fragments up to two metres deep require vigorous growing vines to search for nutrients and water. ‘FULL STOP ROCK’ is how we define this jagged landscape.
Unlike pinot noir that is sapped of its plump fruit and vitality, robust vines like syrah, grenache, and mourvèdre, thrive in this type of soil. When we pioneered the syrah grape in the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley little was known of the potential styles of Syrah-based blends from the cooler South African wine areas. We were encouraged to discover clear-cut, invigorating wines with compact black fruit, spice, perfume, and sophisticated tannins.

Newton Johnson Full Stop Rock 2019, “Rich and generous with its wild flavour. Brooding black fruits, liquorice and mulberry are laced with black and white pepper, topped with the sweet floral notes of Grenache. Full liquorice flavour, with juicy red fruits in the periphery, and chewy tannins lasting in to the finish.” – Winemaker’s notes

ANALYSIS

Alcohol by volume 14.35 %

Total Acidity 5.8 g/l
pH 3.53
Residual sugar 1.6 g/l

LOCATION & CLIMATE
The main vineyard contingent for this wine lies mostly on the lowest slopes and bottom plateau, at altitudes of 225 to 245m, in the porphyritic granite soils of the Upper Hemel-en-Aarde Valley. This appellation ranges from 4 to 8 km from the Atlantic Ocean. The climate is cool and temperate, where parallel mountain ranges channel the southerly ocean-going winds through the appellation during the summer. These southerly winds in turn create regular sea mists and overcast conditions, moderating the temperatures in the valley. Weather data from 2011-2015 conveys an average of 2620 growing degree days on the Winkler Scale, placing it in Region II. Cooler vintages (such as ’13 & ’14) deviate into Region I. The annual rainfall is 910mm, with 50% falling in the winter months (May – August).

APPELLATION Wine of Origin CAPE SOUTH COAST
(90% Upper Hemel-en-Aarde Valley; 10% Elgin)

BLEND 80% Syrah (Upper Hemel-en-Aarde), 15% Grenache (10% Elgin; 5% Upper Hemel-en-Aarde), 5% Mourvèdre (Upper Hemel-en-Aarde)

SOIL Stone fragments and decomposed granite on iron-rich clay

ASPECT North and North-West facing. Slopes of 10-12%.

TRELISSING 7-wire Vertical Shoot Positioning (VSP) with movable wires, Echalas (one stake per vine), and bush vine (Goblet).

AGE OF VINES 14-18 years

PRUNING Cordon, Echalas & Goblet

VINES PER ha 3300 - 5100

AVERAGE YIELD 2.2 – 6.0 tons/ha (15 - 41 hl/ha)