| WINE | Radford Dale | ||||||||
| VARIETAL | Shiraz / Merlot | ||||||||
| VINTAGE | 2009 | ||||||||
| APPELLATION | Stellenbosch – South Africa | ||||||||
| ANALYSIS |
|
||||||||
| PRODUCTION | 194 (12 x 750ml.) cases |
VINEYARDS & HARVEST
The two vineyards which are dedicated to this wine are located in two ocean-facing parcels on the south-west side of Stellenbosch, on the Helderberg Mountain. These are new clones, planted to high density within the last 15 years and are cropped to low yields of about 40 hl / ha.
2009 was a pretty fantastic vintage, for both of these varieties –as it appears to be have been across the planet. Spring saw an even flowering and favourable weather patterns pretty much right up to the heat of Summer. We were fortunate, being near the ocean, to experience cool nights and an extended hang-time for the grapes. In 2009 we also had an ‘Indian Summer’, with favourable conditions late in the vintage. Both Shiraz and Merlot ripen relatively early, so the heat stress later in the cycle only impacted on the vineyards once these varieties were already picked and well into their fermentation in the cellar -and thus they were entirely spared. This was ultimately reflected by the natural balance and the restrained alcohol in the final wine. Bunch and grape sizes were relatively small and free of rot and only a very small amount of grapes were rejected on the sorting table.
VINIFICATION
Both varieties were picked at the same time and co-fermented –in open top 600L barrels- using wild yeast only, so as to give total integration to the blend from the start. Regular but not excessive punch-downs in the barrels and pump-overs were carried-out daily, keeping the focus on elegance rather than body-building. Malolactic fermentation was carried-out in barrel, where the wine remained unracked and unfined for 18 months until assembled in tank and settled for 2 months before bottling, unfiltered.
BARRELS
In small French (95%) and American (5%) barrels, 1/3 new, the balance in 2nd, 3rd and 4th fill barrels. Micro-oxygenated in barrel prior and subsequent to Malo.
WINEMAKER'S COMMENTS
With this wine we aim to combine the spicy, gutsy temperament and structure of Shiraz with the velvet texture and classic red fruits of Merlot. The seamless blending-through-cofermentation of these grapes has resulted in a wine showing all the great attributes of its parents, while developing a personality of its own fit. Perhaps the most seductive aspect being its combination of restraint and exuberance. Ripe though firm tannins and a mineral intensity provide the framework to support and tame the ripe fruit and the warm climate aura of the juice. The partnership between these varieties arguably provides for a more harmonious liaison than the more ‘popular’ so-called Bordeaux blends, which we believe are somewhat out-of-place in our climate and geology.