| WINE | Radford Dale | ||||||||
| VARIETAL | Shiraz / Viognier | ||||||||
| VINTAGE | 2005 | ||||||||
| APPELLATION | Stellenbosch – South Africa | ||||||||
| ANALYSIS |
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| PRODUCTION | 700 (12 x 750ml.) cases |
VINEYARDS & HARVEST
The two parcels of vineyards which are dedicated to this wine are located on the Estate where we are based on the Helderberg Mountain in Stellenbosch. The Viognier is located on the medium slopes in a south-easterly aspect, while the Shiraz is on a south-westerly hillock facing Table Mountain in one corner and the ocean on the other. These are relatively young vines, new clones, planted to high density and cropped to low yields.
2005 was a long, dry, hot summer. The type of conditions that Shiraz is perhaps better suited to than many other varieties. 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. Some uneven ripening. The Viognier ripened earlier than the Shiraz and was beautifully healthy throughout. The berries were small and extremely aromatic to the taste.
VINIFICATION
All hand-picked grapes, hand-sorted over a conveyor-belt sorting table. Due to the hot dry conditions, there was no rot and almost nothing was discarded from the sorting table. The Viognier was picked 8 days prior to the Shiraz and fermented on the skins like a red wine. We then picked the Shiraz and fermented it on top of the Viognier, so as to maximalise the integration of the two varieties and to steer the tannin management all from the outset. Malolactic fermentation was carried-out in barrel, where the wine remained unracked and unfined for 14 months until assembled in tank and settled for 3 months before bottling, unfiltered.
BARRELS
In small French (96%) and American (4%) barrels, 40% new, the balance in 2nd, 3rd and 4th fill barrels. Micro-oxygenated in barrel prior and subsequent to Malo.
WINEMAKER'S COMMENTS
Our aim with this wine is to bring together in Stellenbosch two ancient bed partners, naturally complimentary, in a manner which reflects harmony and elegance. The typical apricot fragrance of Viognier, mingled with the spice and earthiness of Shiraz, combine to capture a unique texture and aromatic sensation of lavender and pepper. Focused and polished with a ring of minerality, leaving the palate fresh and ready for more.