Simonsig Merindol Syrah 2012

Name: Simonsig Merindol Syrah 2012
Brand: Simonsig
SKU: 36519

Rich velvet red. Decadent layers of black forest chocolate cake topped with black cherries. Masculine perfume with a white pepper and cinnamon twist. Tailored tannins capture the aromas of black fruit with hints of liquorice.

Delicious with Chalmar rump, espetadas and a great pair with seared tuna layered with coarse pink peppercorn.

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variety : Shiraz [ 100% Shiraz ]

winery : Simonsig Family Vineyards

winemaker : Johan Malan

wine of origin : Stellenbosch

analysis : alc : 14.84 % vol rs : 3.9 g/l pH : 3.9 ta : 5.7 g/l

type : Red style : Dry body : Full wooded

pack : Bottle size : 750ml closure : Cork

AWARDS

2012
2015 Veritas - Gold Medal
2015 Syrah du Monde : Silver
2015 TOP 100 SA Wine Challenge
2015 John Platter Wine Guide: 4½ stars
2011
2014 Robert Parker: 92 Points
2010
2013 Veritas Wine Awards - Gold
2013 International Wine and Spirit Competition - Gold
2013 Old Mutual Trophy Wine Awards - Bronze
2013 Syrah du Monde - Silver
2013 Top 100 SA Wine Challenge
2013 John Platter Guide - 5 Stars
2008
2012 Platter's Guide - 4.5 stars
2011 Veritas - Silver Medal
2011 Platter's Guide - 4.5 stars
2007
2010 Syrah du Monde - Gold Medal
2009 Veritas - Silver Medal

ageing : 8 to 10 years

Background
The name Merindol is taken from the Malan Coat of Arms and is the French village where the Malans originated. Over the past fifteen years Simonsig has replantedShirazvineyards with the bestShirazclones available. Each vineyard was planted on a specially selected site to optimise quality. This has led to a dramatic improvement in quality. The Merindol vineyard is planted on a deep red Hutton soil of weathered granite origin. These are the most sought after soils for growing premium red wine. The high clay percentage has a high water retention capacity and this sustains the vines during the dry summer months. The vineyard was planted in 1996 with a French Shiraz clone SH 99 and it yielded 9.5 tons per hectare after green harvesting was done at veraison.

Style of Wine
Premium quality oak matured Syrah from a selected single vineyard site.

in the vineyard : The 2012 vintage will be remembered as a very dry year. A rainfall of only 469 mm was logged, 33% below our long term average and the lowest rainfall recorded since 1976. While yields were slightly lower than in 2011, cooler conditions resulted in better quality and more concentrated fruit from smaller berries. January and early February had their customary hot days in the mid-thirties, but the rest of the vintage was quite cool resulting in the ideal slow and even paced ripening. The harvest began at least 10 days later than usual and it took great patience and care not to pick the grapes too early. We tasted and harvested blocks in separate batches to ensure optimal flavour and tannin ripeness.

about the harvest: Picked at 24.6° Balling on 27 March 2012.

in the cellar : Grapes were crushed, destemmed and cold soaked for two days prior to inoculation. 100l/Ton of juice were drawn off at crushing to enhance concentration. Fermentation peaked at 30°C. With regular and controlled pumpovers sufficient colour and tannin extraction was created. 27 Days of extended maceration before pressing. Malolactic fermentation in new French oak barrels.

Wood Maturation
19 months. 100% New French Oak Barriques. 1st fill 100%

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