The Best of the Shiraz Showcase

We set off for this years Shiraz Showcase at the Vineyard Hotel, with a mission to find the Top New Wines at the show. The secondary objectives were to pick our Top High-end wines (R150 and up) as well as our Top Low-end wines (R60 and below).

Top New Kids on the Block

1. Nico Vermeulen – The Right Red Shiraz 08
    Notes: This shiraz yields a deep colour with intense flavours of spice and pepper. The palate is bold with sweet red fruit and a concentrated finish. R85 / bottle.
   
2. Vaalvlei – Shiraz Reserve 2010
    Notes: Vibrant purple colour. Floral red fruit and white pepper aromas. Seamless silky tannins and lengthy finish. Vines pplanted on koffieklip. Open fermented, unfiltered. 1500 Bottles produced. R93 / bottle.
   
3. Zewensorg – Shiraz 09
    Notes: The wine display lovely aromas of spice, pepper, choc-mocha with hints of cigar box and soft wood. The wine was matured in a mix of American and French Oak. Good value for R75 / bottle.
   
4. Driehoek Shiraz 09
    Notes: Maiden Vintage: Rich concentrated nose of ripe black fruits with sweet spice and good oak structure. Full rounded palate, smooth ripe tannins and fresh acidity. R144 / bottle.
   

Top Hoiti Toiti Wines

1. Antonji Rupert – Syrah 06
    Notes: Rooibos and buchu whiffs on the nose with peppery spice, plum and blueberry in the mouth. There’s savoury black olive succulence with refined, dry tannins and plush texture. A powerful yet restrained wine with a long aftertaste. R400 / bottle.
   
2. Hartenberg – The Stork Shiraz 2007
    Notes: Hand-picked from select vines only and solely on taste. Rich black fruit flavours, white pepper and violets on the nose. R344 / bottle.
   
3. Saxenburg Shiraz Select 2006
    Notes: Selected grapes from gravel soils. Fermented with only punching down and skin contact for 4 weeks. 50% French Oak 50% American Oak. Matured for a total of 18 months R665 / Bottle
   

Top Cheap & Cheerful Wines

1. Babylon’s Peak Shiraz / Carignan 2009
    Notes: A combination of ripe berry flavours and dark fruit on the nose, with hints of spice. The oak flavours are elegant and after the fruit there are chocolate and cigar flavours. On the palate wine is soft, well-balanced with good length on the mid-palate and aftertaste. R 57 / bottle.
   
2. Beau Joubert – Oak Lane Shiraz/Cabernet 2010
    Notes: Subtle flavours of white pepper and spices complimented by juicy ripe plums, dark berries, stewed fruit and hints of sweet cassis are followed by gentle lingering smokiness. R37 / bottle
   

Winetimes Wine Scoop

Boschkloof Syrah 2009 barrel sample
One to keep an eye on. A great example of a full bodied premium red. Fine tannins with a beautiful lingering finish of spice and pepper.

Winetimes Wine of the Show

Notre Reve – Syrah 2010
Notes: This hand craft shiraz was produced from trellised grapes sourced from the Durbanville wine region. After fermentation was completed it was lightly pressed and transferred into new French Oak barrels where malolactic fermentation was completed. Matured for a further 11 months in the barrel. R100 / bottle.

Soft and super silky. What a star!

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