Shannon Black
Merlot
2018
Each year one of the 5 aspects or clones of the Mount Bullet 3ha single vineyard shows unique characteristics of that vintage. If special enough it is nurtured further in the cellar and then a small amount has an extraordinary sovereign hand bottling; so to ensure that this classic expression is captured in bottle forever.
100% Merlot, Alc. 14.5%, Acidity 6.7g/l, pH 3.32, Residual Sugar 2.4g/l, Clone MO 12.
Tasting Notes
Soils and Viticulture
Clones planted: MO 03, 12, 192 and MO 343 and 348
Rootstock: Richter 110
Soil types: Mostly Table Mountain Sandstones with a high percentage of quartz silica crystal and a deeper kaolin clay base.
Accolades
2018
Platter Guide: 4.5 Stars (93 Points)
Tim Atkin SA Report: 93 Points
2017
Platter Guide: 5 Stars (97 Points), Wine (Merlot) of the Year 2022
Tim Atkin SA Report: 95 Points
2016
Platter Guide: 4.5 Stars (94 Points)
Tim Atkin SA Report: 96 Points, highest scoring Merlot.
2015
Platter Guide: 4.5 Stars (94 Points) (Highly Recommended)
Tim Atkin SA Report: 98 Points, highest scoring Merlot in South African history.
Mount Bullet
Merlot
2020
This iconic wine is made to truly respect and express the Shannon Vineyards terroir. It is made up of 5 Merlot clones; each wild fermented and matured separately. Finally, they are meticulously blended to create a perfect and unique representation of the oldest Merlot Vineyard in the Elgin valley.
100% Merlot, Alc. 14.42%, Acidity 5.3g/l, pH 3.43, Residual Sugar 2.5g/l, Clone MO 343, 348, 192, 12, 03.
Tasting Notes
Soils and Viticulture
Clones planted: MO 03, 12, 192 and MO 343 and 348
Rootstock: Richter 110
Soil types: Mostly Table Mountain Sandstone with a high percentage of quartz silica crystal and a deeper kaolin clay base.
Accolades
2020
Platter Guide: 4.5 Stars (94 Points)
Tim Atkin SA Report: 94 Points
2019
Platter Guide: 4.5 Stars (94 Points), Highly Recommended
Tim Atkin SA Report: 95 Points
2018
Platter Guide: 4.5 Stars (93 Points)
Tim Atkin SA Report: 94 Points
WineMag.co.za Prescient Merlot Awards: Top 10
2017
Platter Guide: 5 Stars (96 Points), Wine (Merlot) of the Year 2021
Tim Atkin SA Report: 94 Points
WineMag.co.za Prescient Merlot Awards: Top 10 NWC Top 100: Best in Class, Top 100 & Double Platinum Award. Vivino: Voted Best South African Merlot by the public.
2016
Platter Guide: 5 Stars (96 Points), Wine (Merlot) of the Year 2020
Tim Atkin SA Report: 95 Points
WineMag.co.za Prescient Merlot Awards: Top 10, 92 Points NWC Top 100: Best in Class, Top 100 and Double Platinum Award. Vivino: Voted Best South African Merlot by the public.
RocknRolla
Pinot Noir
2022
A single vineyard wine and from the oldest vineyard (est. 2000) of Pinot Noir on the farm. From the old classic Dijon clone PN 113. Named by the winemaker, Gordon Newton Johnson due to its consistent delivery year on year – it’s a rocknrolla!
100% Pinot Noir, Alc. 13.91%, Acidity 5.6g/l, pH 3.48, Residual Sugar 2.4g/l, Clone PN 113.
Tasting Notes
Soils and Viticulture
Clones planted: PN 113
Rootstock: Richter 110
Soil types: Silica quartz encrusted Table Mountain Sandstones.
Accolades
2021
Platter Guide: 5 Stars (95 Points) – Wine of the Year
Tim Atkin SA Report: 96 Points
2020
Platter Guide: 4.5 Stars (93 Points)
Tim Atkin SA Report: 96 Points
2019
Platter Guide: 4.5 Stars (94 Points)
Tim Atkin SA Report: 96 Points
2018
Platter Guide: 4.5 Stars (94 Points) (Highly Recommended)
Tim Atkin SA Report: 94 Points
Rockview Ridge
Pinot Noir
2021
The Pinot Noir bunches are chilled to 3°C before being sorted on a conveyor and de-stemmed. Berries are then hand sorted, before cold maceration ensues for 3 to 6 days at 8°C. Slower fermenting cultured yeasts are used for some of the fermentations while ± 80% of the blend is naturally/wild fermented. Fermentation temperatures vary between 26 -30°C, depending on the nature of the sites. After pressing, the wine is racked and left to complete its malolactic fermentation and maturation in oak barriques.
100% Pinot Noir, Alc. 14.5%, Acidity 5.6g/l, pH 3.50, Residual Sugar 2.9g/l, Clones PN 113, 115, 667.
Tasting Notes
Soils and Viticulture
Clones planted: PN 113, 114, 115, 667 and 777 (8 vineyard blocks)
Rootstock: Richter 110 and 101-14
Soil types: From heavy “na-bank” (Afrikaans) clays and iron enriched Bokkeveld shales to silica quartz encrusted Table Mountain Sandstones.
Accolades
2021
Platter Guide: 4.5 Stars (94 Points)
Tim Atkin SA Report: 93 Points
2020
Platter Guide: 4.5 Stars (93 Points)
Tim Atkin SA Report: 94 Points
2019
Platter Guide: 4.5 Stars (93 Points)
Tim Atkin SA Report: 94 Points
2019
Platter Guide: 4.5 Stars (92 Points)
Tim Atkin SA Report: 93 Points
WineMag.co.za Prescient Pinot Noir Awards: Top 10
2018
Platter Guide: 4.5 Stars (92 Points)
Tim Atkin SA Report: 93 Points
WineMag.co.za Prescient Pinot Noir Awards: Top 10
2017
Platter Guide: 4.5 Stars (92 Points)
Tim Atkin SA Report: 93 Points
WineMag.co.za Prescient Pinot Noir Awards: Top 10
Oscar Browne
Chardonnay
2022
Picked twice during harvest – earlier and later picks to maximise the flavour spectrum that the vineyards could offer. The Chardonnay bunches are chilled to 3°C over night before being tipped on a conveyor where the bunches are then hand sorted, for whole bunch pressing. After pressing, the settled juice is then racked into barrel for natural fermentation by indigenous yeasts. Undergoes 100% malolactic fermentation in barrel but no lees stirring.
100% Chardonnay, Alc. 14%, Acidity 6.7g/l, pH 3.30, Residual Sugar 2.1g/l, Clones CY 95, 76, 548.
Tasting Notes
Soils and Viticulture
Clones planted: CY 95, 76 and 548
Rootstock: Richter 110
Soil types: Deep silica quartz encrusted Table Mountain Sandstone.
Accolades
2022
Platter Guide: 4.5 Stars (94 Points)
Tim Atkin SA Report: 91 Points
2021
Platter Guide: 4.5 Stars (94 Points)
Tim Atkin SA Report: 93 Points
2020 – Maiden Vintage
Platter Guide: 4.5 Stars (91 Points)
Tim Atkin SA Report: 93 Points
Capall Bán
Semillon/ Sauvignon Blanc
2018
The vineyard containing the Sauvignon Blanc clones SB 316 & SB 317 of Bordeaux origin, ripen the grapes ready for harvest on average about one to two weeks before the Semillon vineyard. The Sauvignon Blanc SB 316/317 normally comes in around the third to last week of February and the Semillon during the first week of March. Both the Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc are handpicked into small crates. The grapes are then chilled to 3°C. The grape bunches are sorted on a conveyor, destemmed, and crushed. All transfers of grape must and juice in these early stages are attained using gravity.
67% Semillon, 33% Sauvignon Blanc, Alc. 14.0%, Acidity 6.9g/l, pH 3.10, Residual Sugar 1.8g/l, Clones SEM GDI, SB 316, 317.
Soils and Viticulture
Clones planted: GDl
Rootstock: Richter 110
Soil types: Mostly quartz encrusted silica Table Mountain Sandstone.
Accolades
2018
Platter Guide: 4.5 Stars (94 Points)
Tim Atkin SA Report: 93 Points
2017
Platter Guide: 4.5 Stars (93 Points)
Tim Atkin SA Report: 92 Points
WineMag.co.za Prescient Niche White Variety Awards: Top 10
2016
Platter Guide: 4.5 Stars (93 Points)
Tim Atkin SA Report: 92 Points
WineMag.co.za: 93 & 94 Points
Triangle Block
Semillon
2019
The grapes are chilled to 3ºC. The bunches are sorted on a conveyor, destemmed, and crushed. All transfers of grape must and juice in these early stages are attained using gravity. Selected parcels of the grapes undergo a period of skin contact, at 8ºC to capture favourable skin flavours. After a gentle pressing, the juice left to settle for a period of 72 hours at 2ºC. Fermentation in barrel continues until the wine is dry. The Semillon is fermented on natural yeasts and matured for 11 months in 30% new French oak, some older barrels and one 500 L barrel.
100% Semillon, Alc. 14%, Acidity 6.4g/l, pH 3.16, Residual Sugar 1.4g/l, Clone 16 Sem GDI.
Tasting Notes
Soils and Viticulture
Clones planted: GDl
Rootstock: Richter 110
Soil types: Mostly quartz encrusted silica Table Mountain Sandstone.
Accolades
2021
Platter Guide: 5 Stars (95 Points)
Tim Atkin SA Report: 93 Points
2020
Platter Guide: 4.5 Stars (94 Points)
Tim Atkin SA Report: 93 Points
2019
Platter Guide: 4.5 Stars (93 Points)
Tim Atkin SA Report: 93 Points
2018
Platter Guide: 4.5 Stars (94 Points) (Highly Recommended)
Tim Atkin SA Report: 93 Points
WineMag.co.za Prescient Niche White Variety Awards: Top 10
2017
Platter Guide: 4.5 Stars (93 Points)
Tim Atkin SA Report: 92 Points
WineMag.co.za Prescient Niche White Variety Awards: Top 10
2016
Platter Guide: 5 Stars (95 Points)
Tim Atkin SA Report: 94 Points
WineMag.co.za: 93 Points
Elgin Merlot
2020
The grapes are picked from a small 3-hectare vineyard. The vineyard is divided up into 5 different parcels each with its own respective clone and these are all picked together for a 5-way clonal co-ferment. The bunches are chilled to 3ºC before being sorted on a conveyor and destemmed. Berries are hand sorted, before cold maceration ensues for 3 to 6 days at 8ºC. The 5-way clonal ferment is inoculated with a commercial winemaking yeast. Fermentation temperatures vary between 26 – 30ºC. After pressing, the wine is racked and left to complete its malolactic fermentation and maturation in old 4- to 5-year-old French oak barriques for 9 months.
100% Merlot, Alc. 14.5%, Acidity 5.5g/l, pH 3.52, Residual Sugar 2.3g/l, Clones MO 12, 343, 348,192, 12, 03.
Tasting Notes
Soils and Viticulture
Clones planted: PN 113, 114, 115, 667 and 777 (8 vineyard blocks)
Rootstock: Richter 110 and 101-14
Soil types: From heavy “na-bank” (Afrikaans) clays and iron enriched Bokkeveld shales to silica quartz encrusted Table Mountain Sandstones.
Elgin Pinot Noir
2023
The Pinot Noir bunches are chilled to 3ºC before being sorted on a conveyor and de-stemmed. Berries are then hand sorted, before cold maceration ensues for 3 to 6 days at 8ºC. Slower fermenting cultured yeasts are used for some of the fermentations while ± 80% of the blend is naturally/wild fermented.
Fermentation temperatures vary between 26 – 30ºC, depending on the nature of the sites. After pressing, the wine is racked and left to complete its malolactic fermentation and maturation in oak barriques.
100% Pinot Noir, Alc. 13.88 %, Acidity 5.5 g/l, pH 3.51, Residual Sugar 2.4 g/l, Clones PN 115, 667.
Tasting Notes
Soils and Viticulture
Clones planted: PN 113, 114, 115, 667 and 777 (8 vineyard blocks)
Rootstock: Richter 110 and 101-14
Soil types: From heavy “na-bank” (Afrikaans) clays and iron enriched Bokkeveld shales to silica quartz encrusted Table Mountain Sandstones.
Sanctuary Peak
Sauvignon Blanc
2022
This premium Sauvignon Blanc is made from a selection of grapes from our top performing vineyards in Elgin; an area producing some of the best cool climate renditions of this variety. It is named after the peak of the mountain range just above the vineyards. The grapes are allowed time on the vine ensuring optimal extraction from the unique terroir, resulting in a mature flavour profile with a fuller mouth feel and elegant acidity.
100% Sauvignon Blanc, Alc. 13.0%, Acidity 6.4g/l, pH 3.29, Residual Sugar 2.2g/l, Clones SB 161, 159, 11, 316, 317.
Tasting Notes
Soils and Viticulture
Rootstock: Richter 110 and 101-14
Soil types: Mostly quartz encrusted silica Table Mountain Sandstone.
Accolades
2021
Platter Guide: 4.5 Stars (90 Points)
Tim Atkin SA Report: 91 Points
2020
Platter Guide: 4.5 Stars (90 Points)
Robert Parker: 88 Points
Tim Atkin SA Report: 91 Points
2019
Platter Guide: 4.5 Stars (92 Points)
Tim Atkin SA Report: 90 Points
2018
Platter Guide: 4.5 Stars (92 Points)
Tim Atkin SA Report: 91 Points
Elgin Sauvignon Blanc
2022
The grapes are chilled to 3°C. The bunches are sorted on a conveyor, destemmed and crushed. All transfers of grape must and juice in these early stages are attained using gravity. Selected parcels of the grapes undergo a period of skin contact, at 8°C to capture favourable skin flavours. After a gentle pressing, the juice left to settle for a period of 72 hours at 2°C. Fermentation in stainless steel tanks continues at 12° until the wine is dry.
100% Sauvignon Blanc, Alc. 13%, Acidity 6.4g/l, pH 3.29, Residual Sugar 2.2g/l, Clones SB 316, 317.
Tasting Notes
Soils and Viticulture
Clones planted: SB 11, 159, 161, 242, 316 & 317
Rootstock: Richter 110 and 101-14
Soil types: Mostly quartz encrusted silica Table Mountain Sandstone.