Both these wines also boast a proud international record since its inception affirming this cellar’s reputation when it comes to bespoke red wines of distinction and the Tulbagh terroir.
These scores were created by SAWi’s distinct ‘Algorithm of Excellence’ which is applied to measure the performance of individual wines across vintages, and compares and condenses the results from more than 100 multinational competitions, ratings, reviews and listings over a rolling period of ten years. It then expresses this as a single value out of 100. With the SAWi indexing process recognised as the ultimate quality benchmark for South African wines, the South African Wine Ranking List represents the best wines in this country.
Both the Saronsberg Shiraz and Full Circle enter a room with all the backing and vivacity of a heavy-weight champion. These are wines that needs little in the way of an introduction; since its inception in 2004, the deep purple hues of success have flown richly around Saronsberg, and it shows no sign of slowing down.
The latest release of the Shiraz, their 2014, has upper-cut its way to a double gold in the Top 100 SA, a gold Concours Mondial de Bruxelles, a gold Decanter, Top 12 in the Shiraz SA Challenge, it’s a SAWi Platinum recipient, was rated 93 in Tim Atkin’s Report Special South Africa, gold Michelangelo, a gold IWSC and a gold Veritas Award in 2016 – a star-studded line-up that further cements its title as a superlative example of South African Shiraz.
The Full Circle, a Shiraz/Grenache/Mourvèdre/Viognier blend has also cemented its title as most consistently awarded red wine in South Africa over the past ten years with its first double gold at the Veritas Awards in its maiden vintage of 2004, and then raking in the awards vintage after vintage with the 2014 vintage boasting a Top 100 SA double platinum, a gold Decanter 2016, a gold IWC 2016 and IWC South African Red Wine Trophy 2016 as well as a double gold at the 2016 Six Nations Championship.
These wines, however, wasn’t always about medals and accolades. The real delight of Saronsberg can be found in the journey of each new vintage and the unceasing performance displayed by their Shiraz and Full Circle; each vintage exhibiting strength, poise and distinct nuances of the Tulbagh terroir.
Why do red grapes, in particular Shiraz fare so well at Saronsberg? Under gentle nurturing from a passionate winemaking team, the grape has been allowed to flourish, making up 50% of Saronsberg’s plantings. The relationship Dewaldt Heyns has with red grapes, and especially Shiraz, has been a journey of 21 years, beginning with his time as a student at Elsenburg, where he was assigned to this red cultivar. From this initial partnering has grown a deep familiarity and respect.
The how of the wines lie beneath weathered shale and red-yellow clay-loam soils where it breathes deeply and fully and stands firm in one of South Africa’s most diverse growing regions. Despite the surrounding mountains often being snow-capped in winter, the valley offers a soothing Mediterranean climate in which red cultivars thrive, adoring the gentle heat and golden glow of the summer months.
The Saronsberg Full Circle and Shiraz launch praise and garner admiration everywhere. Its powerful fruity notes and sleek finish sweep across the palates of red wine lovers and naysayers alike and has turned heads and hearts to its cause. These wines are made from hand-picked and intensively hand-sorted grapes in Saronsberg’s gravity-fed cellar that spend 20 months in 90% new and 10% second-fill Allier French oak barrels. The wines are plush and inviting with ripe fruit flavours, beautiful floral notes and alluring scents delicate spice.
Each new vintage marks another year of exceptional quality – the winery is laden with impressive honours such as Top Overall Wine Producer of the Year in 2010, Top High-end Producer in South Africa in 2015, Top Red Wine Producer of the Year in 2015 and 2016 and Michelangelo Wine & Spirits Awards’ Producer of the Year in 2014.
Saronsberg has not just become a benchmark for South African red wines, but proudly proclaims the merits of the Tulbagh region for winemaking and the incredible diligence, passion and careful hands of its winemaker. “Our red wines are a contemporary offering to the rich and historical Tulbagh valley. The wine speaks of our terroir and our meticulous efforts in the vineyard and cellar,” says Heyns.
The Saronsberg 2014 Full Circle sells for R360 and the Shiraz for R220 at the cellar (R2160 and R1 320 per case of six respectively).
For more information about Saronsberg, contact +27.23 230 0707 or visit www.saronsberg.com.