Paradisum

Pairs well with either a delicate, poached salmon or a rich, braised duck breast.

The grapes used in the 2012 Paradisum originate from both the Swartland and the Hemel en Aarde Valley. The Swartland Syrah portion is biodynamically farmed and planted on decomposed granite while the Grenache and Mourvedre portions are grown on heavy clay shale soils in the Hemel en Aarde Valley. Riebeek mountain ranges. The vines are all bush vines and are all older than 15 years. They are farmed naturally with no irrigation, following organic principles with no herbicides or pesticides used.

14 Months in 10% new oak barrels.

The Syrah and Mourvedre portions were de-stemmed with 50% left as whole cluster, with the fermentation occurring naturally and with minimal intervention. The Grenache portion was fermented 100% whole cluster.

Crystallum is a family-run and privately-owned winery based in the Walker Bay region of South Africa. Brothers Andrew and Peter-Allan are the third generation of Finlayson winemakers and sons of the man who pioneered Pinot Noir winemaking in the Hemel-en-Aarde region. Andrew is an architect by training and Peter-Allan a student of philosophy and economics but it didn’t take long for the lure of wine to take effect with Andrew drawn to the vineyards and Peter-Allan to the cellar. The company was founded in 2007 when it produced just over four thousand bottles of Sauvignon Blanc. The following vintage saw the introduction of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay and Crystallum now produces these Burgundian varieties exclusively making up its collection with multi-vineyard blends and single-vineyard wines.