Long before the Shiraz wave hit South Africa in the 1990s, the Durbanville Wine Valley was pioneering this loved Rhône variety. The cool maritime climate and soils of decomposed granite and clay have always provided an ideal terroir for Shiraz in a classic, restrained style compared to the more opulent offerings of warmer regions.
This special offer of Diemersdal Shiraz consists of one bottle of each of the following vintages: 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019, with two bottles of the very fine 2020 making up the balance. And these wines come with a pedigree of accolades: 2016 won a Gold Veritas medal, 2018 took Gold at the Old Mutual Trophy Wine Show, as did the 2019 at the Michelangelo International Wine & Spirits Awards. And with the awards season coming up, we are predicting great things from the 2020 as well.
The variety has been a stalwart at Diemersdal for decades, the vineyard loving the area’s cold winters and mild summers, and wine-lovers really enjoying the feature of Shiraz made in this part of the Cape winelands. Juandré Bruwer, one of Diemersdal’s winemakers and a passionate Shiraz acolyte, says that cool-climate Shiraz is his favourite style of this wine.
“When the grapes ripen in a cool climate, such as Diemersdal, the wine is bright, fresh with gorgeous red-fruit,” he says. “And to complement the general sense of excitement the wine generates on the palate, there is an intriguing hint of spice to elevate the wine into a unique sphere. I love making Diemersdal Shiraz, and love drinking it – as do many others.”
Diemersdal’s approach to all aspects of Shiraz, is classic. Call it old school, if you will. Traditional. But this is what works best.
The vineyards are dryland, unirrigated. Grapes are picked and fermented in open fermenters with manual punch-downs to ensure gentle extraction of colour, body and tannins from the grape skins. Then the wine spends 12 months in French oak barrels, 20% made from new wood, the rest 2nd and 3rd fill.
Enjoy!