Shiraz

Spiced grillades, Bistecca fiorentina, TBone steak, Wild specialities

The 2017 vintage was characterised by very hot, dry conditions in the lead up to the harvest. However, January and February were relatively cool and this allowed the grapes to ripen slower than initially thought. Due to this coolness, the natural acidity remained high which lifted the overall quality of the fruit. We had a slightly bigger crop than the previous two vintages so we could pick both the old and young blocks separately.

Of the total barrel selection, 32% new Oak down to 4th fill with mostly French Oak being used. After 2 years in barrel, we made up the final barrel selection before bottling.

They remained separate during fermentation and maturation, only coming together in the final blend one month before bottling. We continued to experiment with adding stalks to the fermentation, up to 30% in some of the open fermenters. The tank-fermented portions spent a total of five weeks on skins before being pressed and allowed to settle in tank before being racked to barrel.

Luddite is a Bot River wine producer founded by Niels and Penny Verburg, with Shiraz at the heart of the range. Inspired by Niels' international winemaking experience and a deliberately hands-on approach, Luddite produces characterful, small-production South African wines with a strong focus on fruit, texture and individuality.