We have five new wines made by Bernhard Bredell that are now available – three Scions of Sinai wines, and two new wines bottled under the ‘& Clarke’ label.
Scions of Sinai
Bernhard grew up in a wine farming family, on their (previously owned) farm, Helderzicht, in the Lower Helderberg region of Stellenbosch. Here the Bredells had been farming wine for over 160 years – 7 generations – and has essentially been responsible for developing this region. Starting with Peter Bredell’s arrival here in the 1850’s and passed down to his descendants aka “Scions”.
Today Scions of Sinai Wines mainly focus on curating these uniquely located vineyards of the Lower Helderberg region (southeast of Stellenbosch) around a granite hill colloquially known as “Sinai Hill” – pure wines from a few specially selected dry farmed bushvine vineyards on decomposed granite. Bernard favours a chemical-free approach in the vineyards and the winery.
Bredell & Clarke
The two ‘& Clarke’ wines were made by Bernhard in 2019. Bernhard felt they didn’t fit in with his vision for Scions of Sinai, but we loved them, so asked him to bottle them for us. These wines show a different side to the vineyards that Bernhard loves so much. Our wines have the Grape Grower’s and the Winemaker’s name on the label before ours.
The Wines
Scions of Sinai ‘Atlantikas’ Pinotage 2020
A maritime Pinotage bushvine vineyard from the cooler climate part of Stellenbosch in the Lower Helderberg area. Aiming at a pure and lighter expression of the variety by means of natural vinification methods. The harvest is decided solely on the vibrant flavour and acidity to be in place as supposed to sugar “ripeness”. The open bushvines, poor soils together with the silica topsoil helps break down “green” flavours early on in ripening. Fine texture, weightlessness and delicate fruit with a balanced acidity makes 2020 superb. 100% whole bunch fermentation, 0% oak use, 100% concrete. Pure.
Scions of Sinai ‘Señor Tallos’ 2020
This is a skin macerated white wine made from differently handled portions of Chenin Blanc and Grenache Blanc. Both hail from granite soils. Natural vinification methods, skin maceration and spontaneous flor ageing (no additives or alterations to the juice or wine, except trace amounts of sulphites – no filtration and no fining). White grapes often have more to offer, this is a pursuit of finding those offerings. In 2020 the result is a wine with intriguing, citrus, almonds and lemongrass tea flavours; fine textured tannins and impressive saline palate length.
Scions of Sinai ‘Nomadis’ 2020
Cinsaut, with only a touch Pinotage. Natural vinification methods. Even though these two are not usually blended together, these two vineyards are unique by sharing a similar soil type, vine age and close ocean proximity that captures a common thread in tastiness, texture and vibrancy of their healthy grapes. A “window” to light textured soils and its impact on lighter reds. The result is a wine with refreshing, sour raspberry, pomegranate and white pepper flavours; fine textured tannins and impressive saline palate length.
Bredell, Bredell & Clarke Pinotage 2019
Grown by Pieter Bredell on Rustenhof Farm at the bottom of the Helderberg, and made by Bernhard Bredell for us. This bottling is from a different parcel of the same old vine vineyard that produces the Scions of Sinai Féniks – although it is treated differently in the cellar, with more press juice and slightly newer oak (2nd and 3rd fill). Bernhard thought didn’t fit in the aesthetic of Scions of Sinai, but we loved it, so we asked him to bottle it for us. It is slightly bigger in structure than Bernhard’s other Pinotages, showing lovely red and black fruits, dried herbs and the classic pomegrante cut on the finish. Class.
Sexy Stellenbosch Syrah from Coenie Fick’s Seelig Farm in the lower Helderberg, made by Bernhard Bredell (Scions of Sinai) – we love it. This is a very different wine to Berhard Bredell’s Syrah, the Swanesang, but we have room in our hearts for both. Made from the SH1A clone (which is noted for its spice and structure) using 50% whole bunches. There was a minimal amount of heavy extraction during fermentation, allowing for a long, slow ferment. This has resulted in a wine of intensity, persistence, and nuance. The 400L oak vats (2nd & 3rd fill) have given this wine a classic structure without being domineering.
Scions of Sinai | Bredell & Clarke – the new wines of Bernhard Bredell
The exciting releases just keep coming!
We have five new wines made by Bernhard Bredell that are now available – three Scions of Sinai wines, and two new wines bottled under the ‘& Clarke’ label.
Scions of Sinai
Bernhard grew up in a wine farming family, on their (previously owned) farm, Helderzicht, in the Lower Helderberg region of Stellenbosch. Here the Bredells had been farming wine for over 160 years – 7 generations – and has essentially been responsible for developing this region. Starting with Peter Bredell’s arrival here in the 1850’s and passed down to his descendants aka “Scions”.
Today Scions of Sinai Wines mainly focus on curating these uniquely located vineyards of the Lower Helderberg region (southeast of Stellenbosch) around a granite hill colloquially known as “Sinai Hill” – pure wines from a few specially selected dry farmed bushvine vineyards on decomposed granite. Bernard favours a chemical-free approach in the vineyards and the winery.
Bredell & Clarke
The two ‘& Clarke’ wines were made by Bernhard in 2019. Bernhard felt they didn’t fit in with his vision for Scions of Sinai, but we loved them, so asked him to bottle them for us. These wines show a different side to the vineyards that Bernhard loves so much. Our wines have the Grape Grower’s and the Winemaker’s name on the label before ours.
The Wines
Scions of Sinai ‘Atlantikas’ Pinotage 2020
A maritime Pinotage bushvine vineyard from the cooler climate part of Stellenbosch in the Lower Helderberg area. Aiming at a pure and lighter expression of the variety by means of natural vinification methods. The harvest is decided solely on the vibrant flavour and acidity to be in place as supposed to sugar “ripeness”. The open bushvines, poor soils together with the silica topsoil helps break down “green” flavours early on in ripening. Fine texture, weightlessness and delicate fruit with a balanced acidity makes 2020 superb. 100% whole bunch fermentation, 0% oak use, 100% concrete. Pure.
Scions of Sinai ‘Señor Tallos’ 2020
This is a skin macerated white wine made from differently handled portions of Chenin Blanc and Grenache Blanc. Both hail from granite soils. Natural vinification methods, skin maceration and spontaneous flor ageing (no additives or alterations to the juice or wine, except trace amounts of sulphites – no filtration and no fining). White grapes often have more to offer, this is a pursuit of finding those offerings. In 2020 the result is a wine with intriguing, citrus, almonds and lemongrass tea flavours; fine textured tannins and impressive saline palate length.
Scions of Sinai ‘Nomadis’ 2020
Cinsaut, with only a touch Pinotage. Natural vinification methods. Even though these two are not usually blended together, these two vineyards are unique by sharing a similar soil type, vine age and close ocean proximity that captures a common thread in tastiness, texture and vibrancy of their healthy grapes. A “window” to light textured soils and its impact on lighter reds. The result is a wine with refreshing, sour raspberry, pomegranate and white pepper flavours; fine textured tannins and impressive saline palate length.
Bredell, Bredell & Clarke Pinotage 2019
Grown by Pieter Bredell on Rustenhof Farm at the bottom of the Helderberg, and made by Bernhard Bredell for us. This bottling is from a different parcel of the same old vine vineyard that produces the Scions of Sinai Féniks – although it is treated differently in the cellar, with more press juice and slightly newer oak (2nd and 3rd fill). Bernhard thought didn’t fit in the aesthetic of Scions of Sinai, but we loved it, so we asked him to bottle it for us. It is slightly bigger in structure than Bernhard’s other Pinotages, showing lovely red and black fruits, dried herbs and the classic pomegrante cut on the finish. Class.
Fick, Bredell & Clarke Syrah 2019
R240.00Bredell, Bredell & Clarke Pinotage 2019
Sexy Stellenbosch Syrah from Coenie Fick’s Seelig Farm in the lower Helderberg, made by Bernhard Bredell (Scions of Sinai) – we love it. This is a very different wine to Berhard Bredell’s Syrah, the Swanesang, but we have room in our hearts for both. Made from the SH1A clone (which is noted for its spice and structure) using 50% whole bunches. There was a minimal amount of heavy extraction during fermentation, allowing for a long, slow ferment. This has resulted in a wine of intensity, persistence, and nuance. The 400L oak vats (2nd & 3rd fill) have given this wine a classic structure without being domineering.
Please contact david@exanimo.co.za if you have any queries.