The 2005 vintage was definitely one of the cooler ones so far this century. This long ripening period has given us finely balanced, classic Shiraz. Excellent fruit quality with high natural acidity meant very little intervention from the winemaker. It also allowed us to give extended post maceration on the skins, for up to 8 weeks, to ensure good tannin structure therefore balancing the fruit.
After pressing the wine was put into 90% French Oak, 5% American Oak and 5% Hungarian Oak. 25% of these barrels were new and the rest 2nd, 3rd and 4th fill.
The wine remained in barrel for 1 year and was then bottled.
Tasting Notes
Appearance
Ruby Crimson.
Nose
Herbs, spice, cinnamon and chocolate.
Palate
Plums, raspberry and dark chocolate on entry. Middle palate has definite savoury liquorice tones backed by dark fruits. This all finishes with fine tannins and balanced wood use.
Grapes were sourced from four vineyard sites:
Malmesbury harvested on 16th February 2005.
Helderberg, Stellenbosch harvested on 18th February 2005.
Bot River, Luddite harvested on 26th February 2005.
Bottelary, Stellenbosch harvested on 1st March 2005.
Average analysis of fruit at harvest
25° Balling, TA – 6.5g/l, pH – 3.65
Analysis of the wine
Alcohol: 13.9%
pH: 3.6
TA: 5.8 g/l
RS: 1.8 g/l
24 500 bottles of this vintage were produced.
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