Zevenwacht The Tin Mine Red 2008

Dark purple red in colour, with the nose that exudes aromas of violets, dried spices and concentrated black fruits with a slow release of mocha and dark chocolate. The palate impresses with density on entry matched with persistent yet supple tannins - a multi layered wine. This texture is perfectly offset by balanced acidity that allows for a remarkable length of finish.


variety : Shiraz [ 73% Shiraz, 13% Mourvedre, 8% Grenache, 4% Primitivo, 2% Viognier ]
winemaker : Jacques Viljoen
wine of origin : Stellenbosch
analysis : alc : 14.0 % vol  rs : 4.46 g/l  pH : 3.50  ta : 5.9 g/l  
type : Red  style : Dry  body : Medium  taste : Fragrant   wooded
pack : Bottle  closure : Cork  

AWARDS
Veritas 2010 Wine Awards - Silver Medal

ageing : A delicious wine to be enjoyed now or over the next five years.

in the vineyard : Zevenwacht is situated on the first rise in topography after the waves of the icy Atlantic Ocean have hit the shoreline of False Bay. The prevailing winds are South easterly and gust over the cold water, leaving their signature pervasive cool mistiness in the hills during the summer months. The decomposed granite soils include desirable clay elements that retain moisture during the drier months of ripening, yet, as a result of the prominent gravel fractions, allow for excellent drainage.

For this blend we used grapes from five different vineyards. The vineyards are all situated on South westerly and westerly facing slopes. We used a six-year-old Shiraz, Mourvedre and Viognier vineyard and a first crop Grenache and Primitivo vineyard. These vineyards ranges in altitude from 100-200m above sea level. All the vines are trellised on a seven-wire hedge system that allows for perfect containment of the sometimes-vigorous growth habit of Shiraz.

Pruned to two-bud spurs, allowing for 16-18 bearers per running meter. We harvested 8 tons per hectare.

about the harvest: The Shiraz and Viognier vineyard ripened at the same time. The Viognier was lightly pressed and then the skins added on top of the Shiraz. A co-fermentation of the Viognier and Shiraz took place. The Shiraz/Viognier, Grenache, Mourvedre and Primitivo Fermentation temperatures hovered around 26 degrees Celsius peaking at B128 ° C. Regular pumpovers and punch downs helped with extracting intense colour and soft, pliable tannins. After fermentation the wine was pressed and racked to French oak barrels.

The different components were aged for 8 months before we retasted the wines. We selected the best barrels, blended them and matured the blend for a further 4 months in French oak barrels. The final blend: 73% Shiraz, 13% Mourvedre, 8% Grenache and 4% Primitivo and 2% Viognier.

in the cellar : This blend has been aged in French Oak, half the barrels 2nd fill and the other half 3rd fill. After 8 months in select barrels the wine was blended and returned to the barrel for a further 4 months to ensure optimum integration and marriage of the cultivars and the wood.

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OTHER VINTAGES

Shiraz
Mourvedre
Shiraz
Shiraz
Shiraz
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Shiraz
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Shiraz
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Shiraz