VINEYARDS
Circumstance Shiraz is grown on the slopes of the Schapenberg. The farm is five vineyards are planted at a height of between 240 and 260 meters above sea level. The soils are of sandstone origin with medium-sized stones, helping with drainage while retaining moisture. The 2007 vintage was cultivated with one supplementary irrigation at veraison and the vineyards are trellised to handle the canopy effectively. Strong southeasterly winds occurred during the growing season which helped to control growth and crop. The vineyards are of an average age of between 9 and 11 years. Production was approximately 8 tons/ha.
THE 2006/07 GROWING SEASON
After several dry winters we had very good rains and cold weather throughout the winter period. The spring and early summer was one of the coolest in years, which is very positive for flavour development on the white wines and colour and structure on the reds. Despite a heat wave in late January, vineyards looked good and ripened properly and slowly.
WINEMAKING
A portion of the grapes were de-stemmed and fermented in stainless steel tanks. Natural yeast on the grapes were allowed to start and complete the fermentation process. A combination of pumpovers and “delestage” were used to circulate the fermenting juice over the skins to between of two to three times per day. The wine was left on the skins for 20 days. Twenty percent of the grapes were not de-stemmed and were fermented whole bunch. This fermentation was done in small, open-top wooden fermenters. The grapes were punched down twice per day. The grapes stayed on the skins for 30 days. A delicate pressing was done and press juice was returned to the wine. It was aged in 50% new French barrels and 50% older French barrels. The wine was aged in barrel for 14 months after which it spent another 2 months in the tank before bottling.
TASTING NOTES
Circumstance Shiraz is a Rhône style wine with flavours of red berries and a hint of cocoa. A complex and chewy wine with good length and fine tannins on the finish.
ANALYSIS
Alc: 14.0%
RS: 1.71
TA: 6.00
pH: 3.60
VA: 0.70
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