The Khoisan tribe named the river,
originating in the Great Karoo and carving its way through the mighty Swartberg
range, the Gamka or “lion” – quite
possibly due to the fact that when in flood, this usually placid river,
literally roars through the ravines (klowe
in Afrikaans) and savagely bursts its banks sweeping away anything in its
path. The Gamka has been the life-blood of our part of the Klein Karoo since
our family settled here in the mid-1800’s and its waters are still harnessed
today to cultivate crops, provide water for man and beast, as well as ensuring
we can tend vines to craft wines.
I’ve always been of the opinion that as a
winemaker you’re tasked with producing the best wine possible, and to this end,
Gamka was borne from pockets of the finest terroir
and destined to reward careful cellaring.
The combination of Touriga Naçional and Shiraz is based on my affinity towards both these powerful
varietals, which offer the ability to craft wines of immense structure,
aromatic prowess, complexity, longevity and that elusive combination of power
& elegance or the “iron fist in the
velvet glove”. The maiden release,
amounting to 3400 bottles, is a combination of fruit from Wellington,
Stellenbosch and Calitzdorp. All fruit
was hand-harvested & sorted prior to destemming; fermentation occured in
small cement lagars / kuipe with
manual pigeage to gently extract optimal flavour and colour; matured in a
combination of new and 2nd fill 300? and 500? barrels and lightly
filtered prior to bottling.
This
inky black purple wine slowly unfurls in the glass with an array of macerated
black berries, charcuterie, All-spice, tart red currant, violets and fynbos all cloistered in firm tannins
and wood spice, with a lengthy savour finish accentuated with wisps of violets,
spice and black plum. The structure of the wine will reward careful cellaring,
while decanting is advised for immediate consumption. Gamka is best accompanied with hearty country
fare, venison, mature cheeses and charcuterie or savoured on its own.
Enjoy
the rampant lion, that is Gamka.
Carel
Nel
Owner &
Cellarmaster, Boplaas Family Vineyards
Anorak Facts: 14.2% Alc. Vol., RS 3.1g/?, pH 3.4, TA 6g/?
Accolades: Michelangelo International Wine Awards
Grand d’Or 2013
To experience GAMKA, fine brandies and the range of Boplaas wines, visit our cellar door in Calitzdorp or alternatively the Cool Bay tasting room in Great Brak River near Mosselbay. For more information visit www.boplaas.co.za,
send us a mail to info@boplaas.co.za,
give us a call on 044-2133326 or tweet us @Boplaas1880.
Boplaas Family Vineyards, Calitzdorp –
Tending vines & Crafting wines, since 1880