Springfield Work of Time 2015

Time – The lost element in today’s winemaking, can be so precious – yet it is free. It was our desire to produce a Bordeaux Blend and so we planted the classic varieties of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Petit Verdot. These vines were planted on carefully selected sites and took 9 years to reach a level of maturity which we felt comfortable to use for the maiden vintage (2001).

The grapes were fermented whole with native yeasts (true to our ancient custom) and left for 5 weeks on their skins. A slow 2 years of barrel maturation followed and a further 4 years of bottle maturation.

Finally, we released this wine rich, classic and complex from age – of vines and wine. This long wait, justified only by our passion, does bear fruit. It’s called-“The Work of Time”.

Vintage
2015
Blend
32% Cabernet Franc
31% Merlot
19% Cabernet Sauvignon
18% Petit Verdot
Origin
Robertson, South Africa
Oenology
Harvested at full seed ripeness
Cold macerated uncrushed in open fermenters for 10 days
Punched through 3 times daily
3 Weeks alcoholic fermentation; Only free run used
100% Malolatic fermentation spontaneously in barrel
24 Months barrel maturation in 1st and 2nd fill
Sequin Moreau 300L
4 years bottle maturation at 14°C
Filtration
none
Bottling
Unfiltered, Unfined, Unstabilised
Analysis
Alcohol: 14 %
Acidity: 6.33 g/l
PH: 3.5
FSO2:44mg/L at bottling
RS: 2.5 g/L
Terroir
Slope: Very gentle, southerly
Soil: Chalk, calcareous formations
Climate: Moderate summer with low night temperatures, cold winter
Wind: South Easterly (summer)