Introducing Journey Ends Griffin Syrah 2016: A wine to impress!
Ah yes the Griffin, a mystical creature known for its ferocity and nobility. Normally depicted as a combination of two powerful beasts – half lion (body & tail) and half eagle (head,wings and talons). According to legend, the griffin is one of the most powerful,majestic creatures which is imbued with magic. Fire-derived and royal, they combine the elegance of an eagle with the courage of a lion.
As with dragons, many traditional myths portray griffins as guardians of dazzling treasure hoards. In contrast to dragons, griffins typically guard their treasures out of duty and righteousness rather than selfish greed. Throughout history, the griffin has been a symbol of protection and guardianship.
So what on earth does this have to do with wine MyBoozyKitchen? Just hold your horses, I am getting there! I just wanted to give you a little bit of background on today’s wine review: Journey’s End The Griffin Syrah 2016!
You see my wine loving friends, the griffin is a part of the Gabb’s Welsh heritage. The griffin is found on the Gabb family crest. There is also a pair of griffins guarding the entrance to the Gabb family’s cellar at Journeys End. It is only apt to have a wine which is powerful and elegant to be named in honour of the family’s heritage!
Journey’s End The Griffin Syrah 2016 Winemaking Process
Here is a brief description of the Griffin Syrah 2016 winemaking process, so you can understand why this wine is so special.
Firstly, the grapes are handpicked from block 13 on the Journey’s End Farm. Situated about 180m above sea level just behind a row of pine trees . The pine trees serve as a protection against the notorious Cape Doctor!
The Griffin Syrah 2016 vintage grapes are picked very slowly and carefully from midday into the late afternoon. This is very different to most wine-making techniques because most grapes are specially harvested early mornings. Journey’s End does this so at to ensure warmer grape temperatures upon intake. This results to more riper flavours and higher sugar content (which is not a bad thing we will see later)
The bunches are left in the sun until late afternoon before being sorted.
All leaves and excess stem are removed from the bunch before being processed. So you are only getting the purest form of juice extraction. No “green” notes coming through here!
Only NOW do the grapes go into a stainless-steel tank with the higher temperatures initiating the fermentation.
The tank is now gassed with Carbon Dioxide creating an anaerobic environment and was then closed and left for 10 days to undergo a carbonic fermentation or maceration.
Wait… wait… Stop! What is Carbonic Fermentation? Never heard this term before!
What on earth is Carbonic Maceration?
Again the traditional way of making wine is to pick the grapes, stemming those grapes, crushing the grapes, and then sending the juice off to stainless steel tanks for fermentation there after it is then aged in the winemaker’s vessel of choice be it oak vats, concrete tanks or amphora.
However in this method – our winemaker skips stemming and crushing and instead puts full bunches of grapes into steel fermentation tanks. They will then seal the tanks and fill it with carbon dioxide.
As there is no oxygen in this environment the berries begin to ferment from the inside out. The available CO2 begins to break down sugars and malic acid. This now produces alcohol along with a range of compounds that affect the wine’s final flavour.
At the same time there is another process also taking place. The polyphenols or what we wine folk like to call tannins start to turn the flesh of the grapes from white to pink. Once the alcohol level reaches to about 2% the grapes burst releasing the juice in a natural and very gentle fashion. Now normal fermentation takes place.
Why would a winemaker choose to go this route?
Well the winemaker chooses this option to make a very unique and different kind of styled wine. The end result is that you get a wine which is lighter in colour, lower but bright acidity, and much softer and lower tannins with irresistibly juicy fruit-forward concentration. The wine also has a snap-crackle-pop Rice Krispies texture which is made to taste fresh and be drunk young.
Right… back to the winemaking process of the Journey’s End Griffin Syrah 2016. If I don’t get back to this review I can end up going down a massive rabbit hole and we will be here all night!
Right… so where were we… OH yes…. 10 days to undergo a carbonic fermentation or maceration!
Okay dokie so after 10 days of fermentation and being in the stainless steel tanks the wine is now finely ready to be pressed off the skins. The juice is then aged in 16 months in 20% new American oak and 20% new French oak.
For the Journey’s End Griffin Syrah 2016 the winemaker uses bentonite instead of egg white to fine the wine. This means that the Journey’s End Griffin Syrah 2016 is 100% vegan friendly.
My Boozy Kitchen Journey End Griffin Syrah 2016 Tasting Notes:
This is everything you look for in a Syrah/Shiraz and more! Chocolate, Sweet Spice and everything NICE!!
It is a focused wine with beautiful silky smooth and soft mouthfeel along with polished tannins.
On the nose: You will find sweet spice, chocolate, coconut, licorice, toffee, along with violets and dark fruit.
The palate is flamboyant and vivacious with black cherries, blueberries, and blackberries. Vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, and white pepper are among the sweet spices coming through. A hint of opulence and earthiness also emerges.
As wine critics will say this is an “intellectually satisfying” wine!
Suggested food pairings: Roast duck with plum sauce, also pairs well with a Blueberry cheesecake with dark chocolate and Chocolate ganache with smoked spicy meringue.
Accolades:
2016 vintage: 93 Points, Silver, Decanter World Wine Awards 2021
Purchase:
The Journey’s End Vineyards Griffin wines Syrah is available for purchase at the cellar door, online for R300 each and nationally at select fine wine merchants as well as at leading restaurants.
Tasting and sales by appointment only: Monday Friday: 10h00 – 17h00
Go show Journey’s End some love and make sure you go following them on social media.
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