Within the Elgin Valley Bioshere six growers have jointly formed Elgin Vintners. This allows the members to access outstanding quality grapes from a variety of sites within their ranks. This is our third edition of Shiraz.
ORIGIN
Wine of Origin Elgin
VITICULTURE
Picking date 30 March 2007
76% Clone SH5A, 24% Clone SH9C
Rootstock: 101-14 Mgt.
Soil Type: Tukulu and Pinedene gravelly loam
WINEMAKING
For the first time a small proportion (4%) of Viognier was co-fermented with the Shiraz grapes. The grapes were crushed, de-stalked and allowed 3 days cold soak. The fermentation took a total of 14 days at an average temperature of 24C with regular four hourly pump overs. Malolactic fermentation commenced on the skins. This post maceration lasted 12 days. The wine was pressed, allowed to settle and finished malolactic fermentation in tank. The wine was then racked to barrel where it spent 12 months in 90% French oak and 10% American, of which 25% was new. The wine was bottled without any fining and given a filtration before being bottled on 15 September 2008.
TASTING NOTES
Vibrant, youthful purple hues in the glass. The aromatic intensity of the nose evokes nuances of sweet cranberries and a liberal does of white pepper, so typical of cool climate Shiraz from the Rhone Valley. Medium bodied on the palate, this Shiraz is a marriage of sweet red fruit, blackberry fruit pastilles layered with white pepper and spice. The lingering finish shows good balance between dark fruit, spiciness and subtle oaking imparted from 12 months maturation in oak. This Shiraz has excellent maturation potential.
ANALYSIS
Alcohol
Total Acid
Residual sugar
pH
14.42 (14.0% on label)
5.1g/l
1.7g/l
3.7
PACKAGING
Burgundy Bottle Number 722
Srewcap Closure
Barcode 6009 8144 3003-8 (per single bottle)
Barcode 6009 8144 3004-5 (per 6 x 750ml bottles)
9450 liters / 2100 cases (6 x 750ml) produced
Awards
International Wine & Spirit Competition - Silver Medal Best in class
Decanter 2009 - Silver Medal
Platter 4 stars
Tel: +27 (0)21 859 2779 | Fax: +27 (0)86 646 3693 | Email: elginvintner@mweb.co.za
Morningstar Farm, Oudebrug Road, Elgin, Western Cape, South Africa
