Commune of Buttons Syrah 2021

This is the first year Buttons fruit has been sourced from this vineyard (with the intention to replace the Sparrows vineyard which has been pulled out). The Sluiter vineyard is three-quarters of a hectare of Syrah of three different clones (1164, 1127 and 1125). The soil is sand over light clay, and the site is under the shadow of a large hill, with a cool result and ripening often occurring towards the end of April. The fruit for 2021 was harvested on the 12th of April at 11.5% potential alcohol. Whole bunches were chilled for three days pre-fermentation before going to three-tonne jarrah fermenters (leaving 80% of the fruit as whole bunch). At the end of fermentation, bunches were jumped on just before pressing to extract colour and tannin. The wine is soft and distinctly Syrah with powerful aromas of violets and blueberries. The fruit is grounded throughout by the early tannins and acidity, resulting in a wine that’s lighter in body but has great depth, and is very drinkable.