Sijnn Cabernet Sauvignon 2009

ageing : Drink in 2013 to 2015.

An exciting new vineyard between the tiny hamlet of Malagas and Cape Infanta, at the mouth of the Breede River – called Sijnn by the original Khoisan inhabitants. Perched on a plateau of slate and rolled stones, about 15km from the southern oceans of Africa. At this stage there are no other vineyards within a 40 km radius, the closest being those inland around Swellendam and along the coast of Elim. The wines are currently made by the De Trafford team in Stellenbosch. A winery is planned for the property – still on David Trafford’s drawing board! This is effectively an “off-cut” from the blending process to produce our top wine, labeled simply SIJNN 2009.

The complex stony soils, together with a warm dry climate (350mm) moderated by constant sea breezes provides an ideal terroir for these 3 year old vines. The Cabernet Sauvignon is planted on the pure rolled stones with no visible slate within the top 1,5m of the soil profile. Exceptionally low vigour and yield mean the vines ripen the grapes without undue stress despite the extreme conditions. Unusually, as it is not traditional, the Cabernet Sauvignon is also planted as bush vines and actually works extremely well. Clone CS169B was planted on drought resistant rootstock R110.

Typical dry windy conditions meant tiny yields and moderate growth. Jan/Feb average max. 26°C, but very few days over 30°C. Usually the max. temp. is reached before midday and it is a little cooler in the afternoon due to the strong sea breezes. Vines irrigated before growing season and again at veraison to assist the critical ripening process, otherwise the vines are left to fend for themselves and adapt to their environment.