WEATHER CONDITIONS – Simonsberg, Stellenbosch

• • We received good early rainfall in April and May.
  • Average rainfall and cold weather persisted through June and July, leading to proper dormancy.
  • Late winter and early spring was dominated by warm and dry conditions, resulting in budbreak occurring 10 – 14 days earlier than normal.
  • Favourable warm conditions during early flowering, ensured proper berry set.
  • This was one the warmest and windiest starts to summer, with temperatures already reaching the mid-30’s in October.
  • Careful irrigation management was needed to prevent excessive stress.
  • Hot, dry and windy conditions persisted through December and early January.
  • Conditions moderated in the 2nd half of January and early February, but harvest still occurred 10 – 14 days earlier than normal.
  • Because of the conditions, picking windows were narrow. The Syrah for our Le Rosé de May, was picked earlier than normal to capture the natural freshness and bright acidity.

WINEMAKING

• • Picked from two blocks planted on Glenelly.
  • The grapes undergo gentle, whole bunch pressing at low pressure to achieve a lighter colour.
  • The juice is naturally settled overnight, without the use of enzymes.
  • The juice is then transferred to a stainless-steel tanks where spontaneous fermentation (wild ferment) occurs between 16 and 19 ºC.
  • The wine is left on it’s fermentation lees for 3 months prior to racking and undergoes malolactic fermentation, adding to the mouthfeel of the wine.
  • Notably, there is no addition of sulphur at any stage of the process, instead a small addition of tannin is used to provide oxidative stability.

GRAPE VARIETIES : 100% Syrah
PRODUCTION : 1730 cases – 10,380 bottles
ANALYSIS :

Le Rosé De May 2026 Tasting Notes