variety : Shiraz [ 97% Shiraz, 3% Viognier ]
winemaker : Samuel Viljoen
wine of origin : Western Cape
analysis : alc : 13.52 % vol rs : 5.50 g/l pH : 3.62
type : Red style : Dry body : Medium taste : Fruity
pack : 0 size : 3000ml closure : 0
in the vineyard : The Shiraz grapes were sourced from trellised and bush vines in the Stellenbosch, Paarl, Malmesbury, Wellington and Worcester areas, situated some 50m to 180m above sea level. The Viognier grapes were sourced from west to south-west facing, trellised vineyards in the Darling, Philadelphia and Durbanville regions. Some of these vineyards are grown in dark, alluvial soils while others are grown in decomposed granite. Grafted onto Richter 99 rootstocks and trellised on a five-wire hedge system, the vines, four to five years of age, received no irrigation.
in the cellar : The grapes were harvested at 24º to 25º Balling during February. The Shiraz grapes were fermented on the skins for a period of four days to extract as much colour and fruit flavour as possible. Upon completion of malolactic fermentation, the wine was matured in new French oak barrels for three months. No skin contact was allowed in the vinification of the Viognier grapes which were fermented in first- and second-fill French oak barrels and matured for nine months.