Simonsig Syrah Merindol 2008
South African Wine Information Centre
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Simonsig Syrah Merindol 2008

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  Simonsig Wine Estate
Phone +27.218884900
Fax +27.218884909
eMail wine@simonsig.co.za
URL www.simonsig.co.za
Address P.O. Box 6
Koelenhof
7605
South Africa

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our wines » Simonsig Syrah Merindol 2008

technical analysis
Winemaker :  Johan Malan
Main Variety :  Shiraz
Alcohol :  13.5  %vol
pH :  3.6
RS :  2.9 g/l
Total Acid :  5.0 g/l
Appellation :  Stellenbosch
characteristics
Type :  Red
Style :  Dry
Body :  Full
WOODED

 
accolades
2008
2011 Platter's Guide: 4.5 stars

2007
2009 Veritas: Silver Medal

2006
2009 Veritas: Silver Medal
2008 Veritas: Silver Medal

2005
Veritas 2007: Silver Medal
2008 Platter's Guide: 4.5 stars
2008 Michelangelo International Wine Awards: Gold Medal
2009 Syrah du Monde: Silver Medal

2004
2006 International Wine and Spirit Competition: Silver
2006 Veritas: Gold Medal
2008 Swiss International Air Lines Wine Awards: Gold Medal
2008 International Wine and Spirit Competition: Gold Best in Class

2003
2007 Monde Selection: Silver Medal

2002
2004 Fairbairn Capital Trophy Wine Show: Gold
2004 International Wine and Spirit Competition: Gold Medal
 
tasting notes
Dark Persian red. A combustion extraordinaire of cinnamon sticks, black forest gateaux, infused black cherries with a tinge of crushed black peppercorn. The symbioses between the integrated tannins and balanced oak spices moulds the palate into a lingering sensation of decadence.
 
ageing potential
8 to 10 years
 
blend information
100% Shiraz
 
food suggestions
Delicious with pan-fried kudu, ostrich steak, roasted springbok haunch, stuffed quail and roast duck.
 
in the vineyard
Style of Wine
Premium quality oak matured Syrah from a selected single vineyard site.

Heritage
The name Merindol is taken from the Malan Coat of Arms and is the French village where the Malans originated. Over the past fifteen years Simonsig has replanted Shiraz vineyards with the best Shiraz clones available. Each vineyard was planted on a specially selected site to optimise quality. This has led to a dramatic improvement in quality. The Merindol vineyard is planted on a deep red Hutton soil of weathered granite origin. These are the most sought after soils for growing premium red wine. The high clay percentage has a high water retention capacity and this sustains the vines during the dry summer months. The vineyard was planted in 1996 with a French Shiraz clone SH 99 and it yields 9.5 tons per hectare after green harvesting was done at veraison.

Vintage Description
The growing season was cool, resulting in a later start to harvest than normal. Rainfall during spring and early summer was sufficient and spread over the 4 months from September to December. The vineyards looked fresh and in perfect condition throughout the vintage. The cool weather earlier on also had an effect on the berry size and smaller berries are always welcomed by winemakers. Due to rainfall in February and mid March we had the risk of grey rot, fortunately only certain varieties were affected. The last part of harvest was blessed with warm, dry conditions providing ideal ripening conditions for the late varieties like Shiraz.
 
about the harvest
Picked at 26° Balling on 10th March 2008.
 
in the cellar
Grapes were crushed, destemmed and cold soaked for 3 days prior to inoculation. Fermentation peaked at 28°C. With regular and controlled pump-overs sufficient colour and tannin extraction was created. 31 Days of extended maceration before pressing. Malolactic fermentation in new French oak barrels.

Wood Maturation
19 months. 100% New French Oak Barriques.
 
  
 
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other vintages

Simonsig Syrah Merindol 2010 Johan Malan Shiraz
Simonsig Syrah Merindol 2008 Johan Malan Shiraz