Spice Route Grenache 2023 reflects the character of its young but promising vineyard. The block was planted in 2006 on unirrigated bush vines, where the harsh Swartland conditions help create concentrated fruit. Even the wild antelope favour this site, often nibbling the low-hanging bunches a sign of the vineyard’s natural appeal.
The fruit was hand-picked in March 2023. The team fermented the grapes in open concrete fermenters with regular manual punch-downs to build structure while keeping the wine’s delicate fruit intact. They pressed the wine gently and transferred it to old French oak barrels for malolactic fermentation. The wine then matured for 16 months in the same barrels, allowing subtle oak influence without overpowering the fruit.
The 2023 vintage was unusually moderate and cool, delaying harvest by about two weeks. These ideal conditions delivered grapes with exceptional fruit purity a hallmark of this South African red wine. The final wine is light yet complex, structured yet elegant, with red berries, subtle pepper and a signature mineral edge.