Eight Pillars
JJ Handmade Wines
​The grapes are harvested from a combination of older bush vines – all 30 years plus. Syrah, Bordeaux grape components and Pinotage from Stellenbosch, Grenache from Piekenierskloof and Cinsaut and Carignan from the Swartland.
Grapes are picked between 24 and 26 Balling, - Wild yeast fermentation techniques applied. 34% is whole bunch fermented. The wine is then drained from the skins through a gravity drip system to the bottom of the cellar where the barrel room is. Here it finishes malolactic fermentation and ages for about 18 months in 20% French oak, where after the best barrels are selected, blended and put back into barrels for another 6 months.
This wine offers white pepper spice and some lifted violet notes on the nose with a dark brooding undertone. These flavours carry forward to a spicy palate, with some gamey notes at first followed through by a structured velvet aftertaste crafted by the Bordeaux varieties.
Food pairing: This JJ Handmade Reserve will compliment North Indian Curries or other spicy dishes; the Pinotage evident enough to balance strong food flavours.
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Shiraz 55%, Grenache 8.1%, Carignan 8.1%, Cinsault 7.2%, Pinotage 7.8%, Cabernet Franc 7.7%, Merlot 3.2%, Cabernet Sauvignon 2.8%