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Pilgrim Shiraz 2021
R210.00
Winemaker Henry Kotzé’s notes:
Like the previous year, 2021 was also earlier ripening than expected, added the fact that these Stellenbosch vines are all dryland, there was never a doubt that it would be an early vintage for Shiraz.
While the rains in winter of 2020 were good, it was also later, and filled ground levels till later in the year, giving a result of lower soils temperatures and delayed budburst in Spring of 2020
With a few less growing-, or ripening days under the belt, the Shiraz came in perfectly ripe at 23.5 balling, together with a fantastic natural acidity!
Harvesting started on the 26th of February 2021, all by hand. The grapes were transported in fruit bins to the Pilgrim cellar for vinification.
Deep purple/red with an almost impenetrable core. Immediately engaging with red and black berries, some vanilla and spice. The nose envelopes you and remind one more of a lighter “new world” Syrah – one that celebrates the vibrancy and panache that the style delivers. On the palate it is much weightier than the nose suggests. The color gives it away, but you only find the truth in the tasting. Very opulent and spicely brooding, not foregoing the finesse and elegance of the nose, but overdelivering in girth and volume. A big wine, but at the same time finely tuned for balance.
ANALYSIS: ALC 13.5% | pH 3.45 | TA 5.9 g/l | RS 1.80 g/l
1 in stock
Description
Henry Kotzé himself is no newcomer to the wine industry (he recently moved after a long winemaking stint at Morgenster to another prestigious Stellenbosch appointment, at Mulderbosch), but the Pilgrim label of his wife Riëtte Kotzé is indeed new, and it is Henry making the wines, with Riëtte the viticulturist. A good team resulting in Pilgrim wines winning ‘Newcomer Winery of the year 2021’ in the Platter’s Wine Guide.
Perched on top of a Northeastern sloping hill, nestled between other isolated patches of hard-to-find vines, these vines enjoy prime views over Stellenbosch and its rolling hills toward Cape Town. Manicured, and especially nurtured; kept isolated so as to keep them safe from encroaching leaf roll virus originating from neighboring farmlands, these vines produce amazing fruit. On the slopes of Stellenbosch Mountain – a landmark that epitomizes quality – its roots run deep into the decomposed red/brown granitic soils of origin. Hand-picked grapes from specific clones of Shiraz lots include the internationally awarded clone SH7C as well as local fan favourite SH470.
Additional Information
| Producer | Pilgrim Wines |
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