Good Hope 2013 Mountainside Shiraz 750ml

In the vineyard

Two mature, trellised, mountainside vineyards, planted to a variety of clones produce this stylish Shiraz. Overlooking False Bay, the vines enjoy the cooling influence of the famous Cape Doctor (the prevailing South Easterly wind) during summertime. The soils are principally of decomposed granite with underlying red clay. The rocky, gravelly nature of the soil promotes the production of balanced, finely textured wines which show restrained fruit and interesting spice and fynbos notes.

The winter of 2012 was a cold, but relatively dry one. That meant that when the Spring came budding was even and that vegetal growth was slow but steady. The ripening period during the months of February and March were marked by warm days but cool nights and the early red varieties, particularly Shiraz, were blessed with a long and leisurely ripening that resulted in the kind of phenolic ripeness seldom seen. Yields were very good, but were limited by green harvest to 45hL/ha, to ensure concentration of flavour and balance in the grapes. An absence of rain in the lead up to harvest meant that grapes were harvested at a relaxed pace and each clone was picked separately to ensure perfect ripeness.

In the cellar

Grapes were hand harvested, crushed and destemmed into large stainless steel fermenters where cold soaking was employed for several days on the skins to promote fruitiness, colour and flavour. Cool, spontaneous fermentation and a quick removal from skins after its completion was chosen as opposed warm fermentation and extended post fermentation skin contact which would have led to over extraction. Pump-overs were limited to one or two a day depending on the phase of fermentation and this has resulted in the extraction of soft tannins and a lithe texture. Half of the wine was matured in older French oak barrels (3rd, 4th and 5th fill) for 6 months and assembled with the tank matured half before bottling.

A word from the winemaker…

A fresh approach to Shiraz form Stellenbosch, this wines derives its character largely from its elegant spice and fynbos aromas and an interesting combination of ripe red fruits and cured meat flavors, as well as a grippy, yet supple texture. In an age where Shiraz is known for making big, polished and powerful, often sweet fruited wines, we have chosen the path less travelled by showing a restrained and subtle expression of one of the Cape’s most exciting varieties.

-- Winemaker