Fairview The Beacon Shiraz 2011

Bold and austere, with firm tannins and good acid indicating maturation potential. Shows ripe dark fruit, with a savoury edge.


variety : Shiraz [ 100% Shiraz ]
winery : Fairview Wines
winemaker : Anthony de Jager
wine of origin : Paarl
analysis : alc : 14.5 % vol  rs : 3.3 g/l  pH : 3.65  ta : 5.9 g/l  
type : Red  style : Dry  body : Full   wooded
pack : Bottle  size : 750ml  closure : Cork  

AWARDS
2009: Decanter World Wine Awards 2013 - Commended
2009: Top 100 SA Wine Challenge 2013
2009: 1st Runner - Shiraz Showcase
2008: International Wine Challenge 2012 - Bronze Medal
2008: 91 points – Wine Spectator
2008: 5 stars – Platter’s Wine Guide
2007: Silver – Michelangelo CCL Label International Wine Awards
2006: 4 1?2 stars – Platter’s Wine Guide
2005: Gold – Concours Mondial de Bruxelles 2008
2005: 4 1?2 stars – Platter’s Wine Guide
2005: 87 points – Wine Enthusiast
2005: 91 points – Wine Spectator
2004: Gold – IWSC 2006
2004: 90 points – Wine Spectator
2003: 4 1?2 stars – Platters’ Wine Guide
2003: 87 points – Wine Enthusiast
2002: 93 points – Wine Spectator & 4 star Decanter
in the vineyard : This dry farmed vineyard was planted in 1995, using Shiraz clone SH9A, grafted onto rootstock R110. The deep Glenrosa soil type, retains soil moisture well, and ripens the crop early without stressing, during our long hot summers. Planted in a north-westerly facing rocky outcrop, the vines are pruned to a "bosstok " or bush vine. Depending on the growth, the vine is pruned to between 3 and 5 bearers per vine. Summer canopy management including a topping, which will reduce wind damage and green cropping at 80% veraison to ensure even ripening. The vineyard is regularly visited during the ripening period and tested by tasting, visual and analytical examination to determine exact picking date.

At 33° 44' latitude 18° 48' longitude, the surveyor general's trigonometric Beacon 194 rises above a mound of Ancient metamorphic shale. Formally the bed of a primordial ocean, these shales were blasted into a mound by the heating actions of magma penetrating close to the earth's surface. The Dreyer family has farmed in Paarl since 1705. Willie the present generation Dreyer farmer has a intimate knowledge of dry land farming. Unirrigated bush vines battle through large, flat, grey shale stone. The roots must claw their way deep beneath the rock in search of moisture and nutrients. Nature and the farmer work a double shift: the Glenrosa soils of Paarl encourage grape-bunches with tiny berries; the vines are pruned to bear a small crop. The joint result is a wine of considerable concentration and distinction.

about the harvest:  Harvest Date: Morning of 18 February 2010
Grapes were harvested fully ripe at 24.6° Balling.

in the cellar : The fruit was brought to the cellar in small lug boxes, destalked and hand sorted over a sorting table. All raisins, under ripe berries and stalks were removed. The sorted berries were sent straight to 600 litre open French oak fermenters and allowed to ferment naturally. Manual punch downs (pigeage) were performed three times daily. Post fermentation maceration lasted for four days. Wine was basket pressed, and malolactic fermentation was completed in 80% new French barrels. The wine was then racked, lightly sulphured and returned to 40% new French oak, with the remainder in 2nd and 3rd fill French oak barrels. This vintage spent a total of 20 months in oak.

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