Altydgedacht Gewurztraminer 2009 Wine

Altydgedacht is a 412 hectare estate, that has been in the Parker family since 1852. Brothers John and Oliver and their teams utilizes the Durbanville microclimate to its fullest to produce wines with distinctive varietal expression. Dry land vineyards with Hutton soils and trellised hedges. Average age of vineyards - 26 years. Although being a white grape, Gewürztraminer berries turn a rosy pink upon ripening.

Vinification
The grapes were hand-picked in the cool morning hours at a minimum of 23°Balling- a critical factor in the making of Gewürztraminer. After harvest, the grapes were cooled overnight to 10 ºC prior to vinification. The grapes were subsequently sorted, de-stemmed, crushed, pressed and allowed to cold settle over two days. The juice was cold-fermented with VIN 13 at 11 °C and racked at dryness. Extended lees maturation was allowed for 3 months prior to bottling.

Tasting notes
One of the very few examples of a dry Gewürz in South Africa and very much the signature style of Altydgedacht. Brilliant straw colour with a slight green tint on the edge. The nose is perfumed, with good expression of rose petals, Turkish delight and leechies. The palate follows through with floral flavours and a mélange of fruits, with good palate weight and lingering finish. An elegant, complex wine with good ageing potential. To be enjoyed on its own or as an accompaniment to spicy foods, curries and sushi.

Analysis
Alcohol: 13.49
Total extract: 21.9 g/l
Residual sugar: 2.4 g/l
Total acidity: 5.7 g/l
pH: 3.23
Total SO2: 131 mg/l