The SCIONS OF SINAI new releases are here and are available to order.
Bernhard Bredell is one of the most passionate wine people we have come across in our 20+ years in the industry. His thirst for information and knowledge on wine, vineyards and viticulture is far reaching in terms of scope and at times seems unquenchable.
Bernie is based at the southern foothills of the Helderberg in Stellenbosch where he sources the vast majority of his fruit from vineyards planted by his grandfather. He supplements these with a few vineyards in other areas (Voor-Paardeberg, Klein Karoo).
While vineyards are where Bernhard spends most of his time and energy, he has, over the last few years, been making updates and improvements to his small cellar on Klein Helderbergpad. His commitment to quality at all stages of production is steadfast and resolute. Not much happens quickly, but over time the increases in quality keep compounding.
Vintage 2022
Vintage 2022 will be remembered for a good growing season with a higher than average rainfall, and late heat spikes close to harvest. This meant that there was a danger of acid drop out if the vineyards had poor moisture retention. Picking dates were even more important in 2022 than usual; a few days meant a huge difference in sugars (potential alcohol) and acid. In general the resulting wines are more fruit forward and open than in 2021. The whites are predominately very fragrant, open and accessible, while the reds have a little more fruit weight and less acidity than in 2021.
The Wines
These are the ‘early-release’ Scions of Sinai wines. The single vineyards are released after the following year’s harvest.
This is the best Atlantikas release to date, Bernie has managed to balance the juicy red fruits of southern Stellenbosch Pinotage with the brightness and lightness from the granite soils with the fruit weight of late-season heat waves.
The Señor Tallos is far less ‘geeky’ this year, Bernie has let the fruit come forward a lot more in this vintage. Having both skin macerated and flor elements, this wine can sometimes be a little perplexing for the casual drinker. This is the most accessible ST yet.
The Nomadis this year benefited from a little extra ripeness – some lovely dark fruit and spice elements are elevated in 2022. This is the slowest to evolve of the three, so drink last.
Scions of Sinai 'Atlantikas' Pinotage 2022
100% Pinotage
Vineyard/Viticulture: From two bushvine vineyards extremely close to False Bay in southern Stellenbosch planted 1976 and 1996. Oceanic influences bring cold, windy conditions. The soil is sandy with a high silica content which results in early ripening. This all combines to make bright fruit profile with lifted freshness and crunchy tannin.
Vinification: Hand-harvested. 30% with stems, 30% destemmed, 40% direct pressed. Spontaneous fermentation for 10-15 days, and pressed into tank on the lees to age for 8 months.
Christian Eedes (Winemag): “Appealing aromatics of red cherry, plum and floral perfume. Lovely fruit expression, perky acidity and crunchy tannins – full of energy and cheerfulness but also wonderfully uncontrived.”
Vineyard/Viticulture: Chenin Blanc from decomposed granite and deep clay in southern Stellenbosch. Grenache Blanc from sandy granite in Voor Paardeberg. Windy conditions in both vineyards contribute to healthy skins – perfect for skin macerated wines.
Vinification: Hand-harvested. 50% destemmed, 50% whole cluster. Maceration on skins and spontaneous fermentation for 2 weeks (no punchdowns, just keeping cap wet). Aged on the lees in tank and old barrels (with flor development) for 8 months.
Christian Eedes (Winemag): “Some floral perfume before orange, yellow peach and spice as well as an ever so slight nuttiness on the nose. Light bodied with moderate acidity and softer tannins than usual – well balanced, open and accessible.”
Scions of Sinai 'Nomadis' 2022
88% Cinsault
12% Pinotage
Vineyard/Viticulture: From two vineyards in southern Stellenbosch sharing soil type. Bushvines planted in 1975 and 1976 on sandy granite with a high silica content. Farmed with regenerative agricultural practices to assist with soil and vine vitality.
Vinification: Hand-harvested. 55% destemmed, 45% whole cluster. Spontaneous fermentation for 8-12 days without punchdowns. Aged in old barrels for 8 months.
Scions of Sinai New Releases
SCIONS OF SINAI
Spring 2022 Releases
Atlantikas | Señor Tallos | Nomadis
The SCIONS OF SINAI new releases are here and are available to order.
Bernhard Bredell is one of the most passionate wine people we have come across in our 20+ years in the industry. His thirst for information and knowledge on wine, vineyards and viticulture is far reaching in terms of scope and at times seems unquenchable.
Bernie is based at the southern foothills of the Helderberg in Stellenbosch where he sources the vast majority of his fruit from vineyards planted by his grandfather. He supplements these with a few vineyards in other areas (Voor-Paardeberg, Klein Karoo).
While vineyards are where Bernhard spends most of his time and energy, he has, over the last few years, been making updates and improvements to his small cellar on Klein Helderbergpad. His commitment to quality at all stages of production is steadfast and resolute. Not much happens quickly, but over time the increases in quality keep compounding.
Vintage 2022
Vintage 2022 will be remembered for a good growing season with a higher than average rainfall, and late heat spikes close to harvest. This meant that there was a danger of acid drop out if the vineyards had poor moisture retention. Picking dates were even more important in 2022 than usual; a few days meant a huge difference in sugars (potential alcohol) and acid. In general the resulting wines are more fruit forward and open than in 2021. The whites are predominately very fragrant, open and accessible, while the reds have a little more fruit weight and less acidity than in 2021.
The Wines
These are the ‘early-release’ Scions of Sinai wines. The single vineyards are released after the following year’s harvest.
This is the best Atlantikas release to date, Bernie has managed to balance the juicy red fruits of southern Stellenbosch Pinotage with the brightness and lightness from the granite soils with the fruit weight of late-season heat waves.
The Señor Tallos is far less ‘geeky’ this year, Bernie has let the fruit come forward a lot more in this vintage. Having both skin macerated and flor elements, this wine can sometimes be a little perplexing for the casual drinker. This is the most accessible ST yet.
The Nomadis this year benefited from a little extra ripeness – some lovely dark fruit and spice elements are elevated in 2022. This is the slowest to evolve of the three, so drink last.
Scions of Sinai 'Atlantikas' Pinotage 2022
100% Pinotage
Vineyard/Viticulture: From two bushvine vineyards extremely close to False Bay in southern Stellenbosch planted 1976 and 1996. Oceanic influences bring cold, windy conditions. The soil is sandy with a high silica content which results in early ripening. This all combines to make bright fruit profile with lifted freshness and crunchy tannin.
Vinification: Hand-harvested. 30% with stems, 30% destemmed, 40% direct pressed. Spontaneous fermentation for 10-15 days, and pressed into tank on the lees to age for 8 months.
Christian Eedes (Winemag): “Appealing aromatics of red cherry, plum and floral perfume. Lovely fruit expression, perky acidity and crunchy tannins – full of energy and cheerfulness but also wonderfully uncontrived.”
Scions of Sinai 'Señor Tallos' 2022
Skin macerated white wine
51% Chenin Blanc (Stellenbosch)
49% Grenache Blanc (Voor Paardeberg)
Vineyard/Viticulture: Chenin Blanc from decomposed granite and deep clay in southern Stellenbosch. Grenache Blanc from sandy granite in Voor Paardeberg. Windy conditions in both vineyards contribute to healthy skins – perfect for skin macerated wines.
Vinification: Hand-harvested. 50% destemmed, 50% whole cluster. Maceration on skins and spontaneous fermentation for 2 weeks (no punchdowns, just keeping cap wet). Aged on the lees in tank and old barrels (with flor development) for 8 months.
Christian Eedes (Winemag): “Some floral perfume before orange, yellow peach and spice as well as an ever so slight nuttiness on the nose. Light bodied with moderate acidity and softer tannins than usual – well balanced, open and accessible.”
Scions of Sinai 'Nomadis' 2022
88% Cinsault
12% Pinotage
Vineyard/Viticulture: From two vineyards in southern Stellenbosch sharing soil type. Bushvines planted in 1975 and 1976 on sandy granite with a high silica content. Farmed with regenerative agricultural practices to assist with soil and vine vitality.
Vinification: Hand-harvested. 55% destemmed, 45% whole cluster. Spontaneous fermentation for 8-12 days without punchdowns. Aged in old barrels for 8 months.
View Scions of Sinai wines in the shop
Please contact david@exanimo.co.za if you have any queries.