Skerpioen (Scorpion) is a wine from a very unique location halfway between Dwarskersbos and Elands Bay on the West Coast. One of the most amazing aspects of this location is the fact that the soils are chalky (limestone). In addition to that it is one of the coolest parts of the Swartland region, located a mere 2km from the Atlantic Ocean, but it is also a very dry area with an average rainfall of around 300mm per year. This location is home to some of the most intense south-easterly winds and the old vines look almost abused after having been battered by winds and blowing sand for years and years.
Vinification
After harvesting the grapes are placed in a cooling room to reduce the temperature, since the average temperatures are often 35 degrees or more – and pressing warm grapes comes with its own series of problems. We then do whole bunch pressing, a process that takes about 3 hours during which time there is a margin of settling of the juice in the collecting tank. The juice is then transferred to two old foudres for fermentation. The natural fermentation can sometimes take up to 5 days or more to start. The fermentation may continue from 1 to 6 months and sometimes it only finishes in the following spring, by which time the malolactic fermentation would often have come to completion as well.
The wine is left in cask on the fermentation lees for the entire first 12 months and we bottle from the lees.
Storage potential
Drink as from : 2024
Best moment : 2029-2031
Until : 2034
Trial analysis
The 2022 Skerpioen enters the aromatics with volumes of fruit and limey, citrus and chamomile flowers. This wine’s distinctive saline qualities, salty taste, and minerality are again prominent. The salinity of this wine is a textbook aspect of the site and terroir of this vineyard. The tannins are firm, and the acidity is fresh, and we suggest rushing off to buy oysters! This wine is more assessable at an early stage than most of Sadie's other wines.