“The Swartland presents so many new opportunities and we are discovering new pockets of soil each vintage” Charles Back
Spice Route Shiraz 2005
Posted in: Previous Vintages
This wine is in a modern layered style, expressive of the Swartland and showing a good balance of spicy fruit.
Five centuries ago, the ancient mariners braved uncharted seas to round the Cape in search of exotic spices. Their nerve and dash inspire the Spice Route philosophy. The Spice Route has found its signature wine style in the warm rolling hills along the Cape West coast. Matching traditional practices in the vineyards with modern, minimalist approaches in the cellar, they produce exceptionally ripe and deep-flavoured wines.
HARVEST DATE:
February 2005
OENOLOGICAL TREATMENT:
The fruit used to craft this wine is from a dryland vineyard on the Rheeboksfontein farm in Malmesbury. This prime Swartland vineyard is on red oakleaf soils, and is a trellised block of 5.7ha. The fruit was hand picked, and the vineyard yielded 5t/ha. The grapes were de-stemmed and crushed, and cold soaked for two days, before fermentation in stainless steel tanks, at 25-28 degrees Celsius. The wine spent 18 months in French oak barrels, with approximately 30% new wood being used. The wine was bottled unfiltered.
WINEMAKERS NOTES:
The wine is in a modern layered style, expressive of the Swartland and showing a good balance of spicy fruit.
Colour: Deep ruby
Aroma: Rich spice, cloves and bramble fruit.
Palate: Evolved tannins, well integrated with deep fruit flavours. Rich finish.
Cellaring: The wine will continue to improve for 4-5 years.
Wine Analysis
Alcohol 14.92% | Residual Sugar 2.7g/l | Total Acid 6.3g/l | pH 3.41