MELLISH FAMILY VINEYARDS

The Mellish wines are made by Andrew Mellish on Welbeloond farm, Durbanville. Originally established as an outpost by Jan van Riebeek, there are buildings on the farm that date back to 1785. A "proper" farm, the 35 hectares of vineyard were only planted between 2000 and 2004 and have been farmed organically (not certified) since 2015.
Wines:
Bakenkop Blanc Fume 2020
90% Whole bunch-pressed, settled overnight then fermented in older oak barrels with no additions. 10% pressed and fermented on the skins for 8 days. Malolactic fermentation took place and the wine spent 10 months on the lees. The wine has a very aromatic nose of stone fruit, blackcurrant and quince which follows onto the palate.  The creaminess on the mid-palate is balanced by a refreshing yet soft acidity that gives good structure in the mouth. There is a smoky, mineral character with some herbal complexity and dried nettle, to compliment the stone fruits of peach and nectarine. The wine has a long dry, pleasing saline finish
Bakenkop Syrah 2020
30% of the grapes were left as whole-bunch with the remainder destemmed and transferred to a two ton open fermentation vessel. The juice began spontaneous fermentation from ambient yeasts after three days of soaking. During fermentation the wine was punched down three times daily. Once dry the wine was pressed and then matured in 225 litre, seasoned, French oak barrels for 9 months before
bottling. On the nose some perfume, violets, white pepper, blackberry, redcurrant and plum with subtle oak notes of spice and smoke. The palate has a vibrancy and liveliness to compliment the aromas and juicy fruit. The tannin gives good structure and some grip. The wine is medium bodied with a mineral texture and a dry, saline finish.