ABOUT

This is the second vintage that Boxhead Shiraz has been deemed W.O. Swartland rather than G.I. South Australia. Let that sink in and then think of the rich viticultural history for these two ‘new world’ regions that stretches back for well over a century, and nearly four centuries in the case of South Africa. The richness of Shiraz in Swartland is met with mineral-driven precision and gripping tannins. The 2021 vintage in the Swartland saw cooler overall temperatures, which slowed ripening and created a steady accumulation of flavor compounds.

The parcels were harvested, primarily destemmed and placed whole-berry into stainless-steel fermenters. Native yeast carried out the fermentation with routine pumpovers and after seven days on the skins, the lots were dry and then basket-pressed. The wine then went to neutral oak for aging. Malolactic fermentation occurred naturally and after 9 months of aging the lots were selected and blended back to tank to settle. The wine was bottled without fining and just with a coarse filtration and addition of sulfur.

DATA

Grapes: 100% Shiraz
Vine Age: 15-years-old
Soil Type: Granitic
Viticulture: Sustainable - Dry-farmed
Fermentation: Native - stainless-steel (whole berry)
Skin Contact: 7 days
Aging: 9 months in neutral oak
Alcohol: 13.1%
pH: 3.58
Total Acidity: 5.6 g/L
Total SO2: 90 ppm
Total Production: 1,500 cases
UPC: 9342955000102

TASTING NOTE

Balanced and approachable now with an easy structure and moderate tannins, this Shiraz offers black cherry, fig, boysenberry and brambly fruit flavors all lifted by spicy notes of pepper and nutmeg.