This wine is a blend of 90% Shiraz and 10% Viognier. The Shiraz component is from Bot River in the Walker Bay region (70%) and Franschhoek (20%) while the (10%) originates from Franschhoek.
A number of conditions caused lower yields - a long winter that aŕfected very little rain during December and January, which resulted in smaller bunches, a short heatwave early in December, causing damage to some unprotected bunches, and windy conditions that could have robbed vines from moisture. Temperatures lower than average delayed harvest- time by as much as two weeks. On the positive side, low temperatures and mild weather conditions allowed for good flavour protection and slow ripening - ripening was at lower sugar levels, contributing towards the production of elegant, accessible wines. flowering, very little from moisture.
The Shiraz vineyard in the Walker Bay region grows in shallow scale soil and the one in the Franschhoek area in deep, sandy, weathered granite. Both vineyards are trellised according to the Perold system. The vineyards are managed organically and in both cases the yield is naturally low. The Víognìer was selected from Franchhoek grounds on grounds of it's late ripening, simultaneously with the Shiraz component
Grapes were hand-picked and hand-sorted and the Shiraz and Viognier components were fermented in the same tank. The wine was pumped over regularly and fermented at 25 degrees Celsius. After fermentation, the wine was left on the lees for an extended period of approximately two weeks. Malolactic fermentation and maturation were in 300-litre French oak barrels, 70% of which were new. The wine was matured for fifteen months before bottling in November 2010. 4 000 cartons (6 x 750 ml) were released.
Good colour and tight, concentrated tannins from the Walker Bay area are combined with the elegant, juicy wine from Franschhoek to produce a wine full of flavour and complexity. The nose reflects black cherry and cranberry fruit, with liquorice and white pepper spice. The splash of Viognier contributes with rose petal perfume. Firm tannins in the young wine promise reward should the wine be aged from six to ten years from vintage.
Alcohol 13,67% vol
Residual sugar 2,0 g/l
Total acid 5,9 g/I
pH 3,54