Spier Seaward Shiraz 2020
Spier Wine Estate is one of the finest tourist destinations in the Stellenbosch Wine Appellation. Recently, in the ‘Your Choice’ Awards by Netwerk24, Die Burger awarded for Best Wine Farm Experience and the most Child-Friendly Wine Estate. The Cellar Team under Johan Jordaan and his team continue to produce great wines.
Johan Jordaan, Spier Cellarmaster
The Spier Seaward Shiraz 2020 is one of them. The grapes came from the cool climate Darling and Stellenbosch Appellations, from 15 to 20 year old trellised vineyards. The are planted in rich, deep, decomposed granite soils with good water retention and medium fertility resulted in low, concentrated yields that contributed to the fruit complexity and tannin structure. The Benguela current from the deep south cold Atlantic Ocean, always slow ripening, thus more flavour.
Shiraz grapes ripening on the vine
Harvested by hand from selected vineyard blocks, the grapes were destemmed and crushed to stainless-steel tanks. Alcoholic fermentation was completed after 15 days on the skins. The free-run juice was taken to French Oak Barrels where the malolactic fermentation took place. Maturation took place for 14 months in French oak barrels of which 20% were new and the balance were second and third fill. Blending of the barrels then took place before this vegan wine was bottled.
Spier Barrel Cellar
Pour
From a Burgundy shaped dark green bottle. The bottle is closed with natural cork. The label is simple and elegant. In the glass, the wine is an opaque bloodplum red at the heart which pales out to a purple tinged ruby at the edges. The aromas are of country lane fruits, brambles, mulberries, blackcurrants with a whiff of ground white pepper and roadside fennel seeds when rubbed in your hand. The aromas segue straight on to the harmonious palate where they are intensified and supported by a fine line of acidity and iron hand in velvet glove tannins. An impressive glass. Eminently drinkable now, through will reward after a couple of years of cool cellaring,
Mira Weiner’s Plant based Parsnip Gnocchi
with Wild Mushrooms, Herbs & Walnut Crumb
Pair
The Spier Seaward Shiraz 2020 is a perfect sipping wine. As the wine is Vegan, I would recommend Mira Weiner’s Plant based Parsnip Gnocchi with Wild Mushrooms , Winter Herbs & Walnut Crumb. Click HERE for her recipe. Mira is a very talented plant based cook, her website is well worth a trawl.
Mira Weiner, McGregor’s Plant Based Cook
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