| SOURCE: |
| |
This 2004 Shiraz was produced from fully ripe grapes harvested from Haut Espoir in the Franschhoek region. |
| WEATHER: |
| |
The summer was dry and hot with two particularly hot periods in January and February. The conditions were ideal for developing good fruit flavours and aromas. |
| HARVESTING: |
| |
The grapes were hand harvested in the coolness of early morning on the 18th March 2004. |
| VINIFICATION: |
| |
After de-stemming and partial carbonic maceration the whole berries were fermented to dryness over 7 days in small open fermentation tanks. After a five day Post fermentation maceration period, the wine underwent malolactic in second fill French Oak barrels, and matured for 14 months. Left to settle in tank before bottling, this wine underwent a light filtration at bottling. |
| TASTING NOTES: |
| |
The dominant fruit characters are blueberries, light hints of cherry and white pepper, with complexity benefiting from sensitive oaking and barrel maturation. |
| FOOD ACCOMPANIMENT: |
| |
Roasts, red meat, thick pasta dishes. |
| |
| |
This wine is released ready to drink and will develop further with bottle ageing. |
| TECHNICAL ANAYSIS: |
| |
pH 3.4
Alcohol 14%
Total acid 6.8 g/l
Residual Sugar 3.5g/l
|
| PRODUCTION: |
| |
866 Bottles |
| WINEMAKER: |
| |
Nikey van Zyl |
