| WINE | Radford Dale | ||||||||
| VARIETAL | Shiraz | ||||||||
| VINTAGE | 2006 | ||||||||
| APPELLATION | Stellenbosch – South Africa | ||||||||
| ANALYSIS |
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| PRODUCTION | 1520 (12 x 750ml.) cases |
VINEYARDS & HARVEST
The older parcel is located on the Helderberg Mountain, overlooking False Bay. Various aspects following contours of the slopes. Cool ocean breezes make this spot one of the best in the Cape. The younger parcel is in Devon Valley, on an elevated South-east-facing slope. The soils are predominantly decomposed granite with some clay content.
2006 was a really wonderful vintage all-round, from an excellent flowering to the cooler than usual summer evenings and the resultant extended ripening season. There was plenty of rainfall during the season too, which allowed the grapes to grow and ripen in almost ideal conditions. We are never short of sun, so the balance was ensured. Bunch and grape sizes were relatively small and free of rot. Yields came in at +/- 38 HL / ha. Bunch and grape sizes were relatively small and free of rot and the grapes tasted wonderfully.
VINIFICATION
All hand-picked grapes, hand-selected over sorting table eliminating any impurities or over-ripe raisins. We are careful to not over-extract structure, but prefer to work on integrated tannins and overall balance. Left on skins for 7 days after fermentation before racking into barrels. Micro-oxygenation carried-out in barrel to enhance suppleness of tannins, deeper colour and further fruit intensity. Malolactic fermentation in barrel. Pressed juice kept separate to free run. Barrel matured for 14 months, then assembled into one tank, which was settled for a month. No fining , bottled without filtration.
WINEMAKER'S COMMENTS
Our objective is the best of both worlds (i.e. Northern & Southern Hemisphere characteristics) : classic, spicy, peppery Shiraz , with layers of firm, ripe tannins and, minerality –woven into abundant juicy fruit. Our challenge each vintage is to accomplish balance; not easy in our sunny climate. This Shiraz has power and restraint, backbone and fruit. A combination of attributes representing what the Cape has the potential to do best, with the varietal many people believe to be the most well-suited to this Region.