| WINE | Radford Dale | ||||||||
| VARIETAL | Shiraz | ||||||||
| VINTAGE | 2005 | ||||||||
| APPELLATION | Stellenbosch – South Africa | ||||||||
| ANALYSIS |
|
||||||||
| PRODUCTION | 2200 (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 east-facing slope. The soils are predominantly decomposed granite with some clay content.
2005 was a hot Summer. This required us to adapt out viticulture accordingly and resulted in smaller than usual yields, ranging from 25 to 35 HL / Ha. Shiraz, however, is one varietal which is quite at home in the heat and naturally very adaptable. Certain vineyards experienced hydric-stress and even shut-down, so well-adapted canopy management and drip irrigation were crucial -not least with Shiraz being naturally vigorous and an early ripener. Bunch and grape sizes were relatively small and free of rot.
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.
BARRELS
In small French (93%) and American (7%) barrels, 40% new. Micro-oxygenated in barrel prior and subsequent to Malo.
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 bound with 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.