Graham Beck Shiraz Cabernet Sauvignon 2003

The wine has a rich intense colour. On nose there is a rich plummy character with hints of exotic spice. Good underlying berry tones from the Cabernet. On the palate there are violets and attractive mocha and chocolate flavours, with a good integration between fruit tannin and smokey flavours from the oak. These aromatics ensure that the wine is generous and rewarding.

Good company for fun dinner parties. Will be great with grilled rack of lamb, rich meat stews and ostrich fillet.

variety : Shiraz [ 57% Shiraz, 47% Cabernet Sauvignon ]
winery : Graham Beck
winemaker : Pieter Ferreira
wine of origin : Breede River
analysis : alc : 14.0 % vol  rs : 2.84 g/l  pH : 3.58  ta : 5.56 g/l  
type : Red   wooded
pack : Bottle  

AWARDS
International Wine Challenge 2005 - Seal of Approval
in the vineyard : Selection of home grown Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon vineyards planted on the Graham Beck farms. A great diversity of soil types ranging from rich limestone soil in Robertson to Table Mountain Sandstone in Franschhoek and decomposed granite in Stellenbosch. All of these vineyards produce on average 8 tons per hectare.

about the harvest: Both varieties were carefully monitored up to optimum phenolic ripeness and maturity before harvesting. The grapes were vinified in both of our Franschhoek Cellar and our Robertson Cellar.

in the cellar : The Shiraz and Cabernet were handled separately. Destalked, gently crushed prior to fermentation on the skins. Some of the Shiraz had a cold soak before the fermentation started. Fermented separately on the skins, with regular pump overs to ensure maximum extraction, until dry. After the fermentation they were pressed and taken to stainless steel tanks for malolactic fermentation. After malolactic the varieties were matured, separately in French and American oak barrels for 12 months. After this maturation the wines had a light egg-white fining before blending and then bottled.

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