Classic Estate Range
Shiraz / Petit Verdot / Viognier 2009
Viticulture
Rietvallei Estate mostly comprise of calcareous (red clay & lime mix) soil. The high content of lime gives the soil a very high pH which in return results in wines of a natural low pH. The Shiraz is from two vineyards planted in 1995 and 2005 respectively. The Petit Verdot was planted in 2005 and the Viognier in 2001. All the vines are trellised and under permanent irrigation.
Winemaking
The Shiraz and Petit Verdot were picked at 25-26° Balling (Brix) and underwent the same process. After destemming and slight crushing the mash was taken to open fermenters where fermentation took place on the skins. During fermentation the cap was regularly wetted by the traditional method of pushing the skins down into the must manually every two hours. This together with pumping-over of the must onto the skins allowed the colour and flavour to be extracted very effectively. After approximately four days of fermenting it was softly pressed at 5° Balling and taken to stainless steel tanks where alcoholic fermentation was completed. After malolactic fermentation started it was transferred to 300 litre French and American oak barrels (70/30%) where the wine was left to mature for twelve months.
The Viognier was picked at 26° Balling (Brix) and after 8 hours of skin contact only the free-run juice was selected. After settling the clean juice was fermentation cold at 16°C till dry and left on the lees for six months.
The Winemaker’s Comments
A blend of 75% Shiraz, 20% Petit Verdot and 5% Viognier. Intense ruby red coloured and complex flavoured with the fruit and peppery, spicy and toasted oak flavours well integrated. A Full-bodied wine with pleasant ripe tannins and a smooth, lingering aftertaste.
Packaging Details
Bottle volume: 750ml
Case size: 6 x 750ml
Pallet size: 104 x 6 x 750ml
Case weight: 8.68 kg
Closure: Natural Cork & Capsule
EAN 750ml Bottle Barcode: 6009673830246
UPC 750ml Bottle Barcode (USA only): 89673300018-5
EAN 6x750ml Case Barcode: 6009673830253
UPC 6x750ml Case Barcode (USA only): 89673300019-2
Wine Analysis
Residual Sugar 3.2 g/l
Alcohol 13.71 %
Acidity 6.3 g/l
PH 3.37
VA 0.61 g/l
Total Extract 30.9 g/l
Total SO² 82 mg/l
Free SO² 30 mg/l