Sijnn Malgas Low Profile Red 2018

Description

Sijnn Malgas Low Profile Red 2018 from the Sijnn wine estate in the Western Cape of South Africa is an intense, complex red wine blend of Syrah 49%, Portuguese grapes Touriga Nacional 31% and Trincadeira 10% with a smattering of Cabernet Sauvignon 7% and Mourvèdre 3%. A combination of stony soils (mainly schist and pudding stones), a warm climate moderated by proximity to the sea, natural wine-making (sustainably certified) and low yields of an interesting blend of grapes makes this wine really juicy with mouth-watering acidity and layers of ripe fruit and gentle spicy flavours. In the mouth it reminds me of a warm, smooth Rhone red but as you swallow the wine or suck in air to aerate the wine in your mouth, the sweet, jucy red fruit flavours take over and dominate the long finish.

For another smooth South African red, try Reyneke Biodynamic Syrah.

David & Rita Trafford of the De Trafford wines in Stellenbosch fell so in love with the Malgas area & its soils that they started Sijnn Wines there on the banks of the river Breede (pronounced ‘Say-n’, Sijnn is a local word meaning riverbank). The name of the wine is derived from the soil profiles that were intensively studied – more than 200 profile holes were dug – to establish the best sites for each variety. Winemaker Charla Haasbroek has been onboard since 2014 and continues the low-intervention ethos. Sijnn wines have been described as “Rhone meets Bordeaux meets Douro”, an interesting and tasty combination!