Discovery Set - Shiraz

Six Shiraz, Six Cape Terroirs

Shiraz has become one of the Cape's most versatile red grape varieties. Depending on the terroir, it can be cool and peppery or ripe, dark and chocolatey. This Discovery Set showcases six interpretations side by side: from the high-altitude vineyards of the Cederberg to Stellenbosch, the Banghoek Valley and the slopes of the Helderberg, and into the cool Klein River Valley near the South Coast. It features family-run wineries, a pioneer of mountain wines and a historic 1972 vineyard. Ideal for comparison, as an introduction to South African Shiraz or as a gift for curious wine lovers.

The six bottles in the set

• Cederberg Shiraz 2021 From the Cederberg, around 250 kilometres north of Cape Town, where the Nieuwoudt family cultivates vines at over 1,000 metres above sea level. Red cherry and blackberry, subtle mocha and clove notes, with red fruit and dark chocolate on the palate. Full-bodied, with juicy tannins.
• Kleine Zalze Vineyard Selection Shiraz 2022 From selected parcels at the Kleine Zalze family winery in Stellenbosch. Blackberry, plum and a hint of black pepper, with dark berries, licorice and fine vanilla on the palate. Soft tannins and a long, rounded finish.
• Rainbow's End Shiraz 2021 From the Banghoek Valley high above Stellenbosch, unfiltered and unfined. Floral and juicy on the nose, with plum and aromatic herbs. Dark cherry, dried herbs and pink pepper on the palate, fine-grained tannins and lively acidity.
• Raka Biography Shiraz 2022 Raka's flagship from the Klein River Valley between Stanford and Caledon. The winery is named after the founder Piet Dreyer's black fishing boat. Black pepper, dark chocolate and dark berries, with Black Forest cake, red berries and mocha on the palate.
• Stellenrust Peppergrinder's Shiraz 2023 From a single, historic vineyard planted in 1972 on the Helderberg, which once grew between tobacco fields and was revived by Stellenrust. Dark and profound, with white pepper, violets, dark berries and red cherry. Black olives and delicate vanilla on the finish.
• Uva Mira The Mira Shiraz 2021 From Uva Mira, the mountain winery high on the Helderberg overlooking False Bay. Fragrant, with violets, blackberry, fynbos herbs and a hint of black pepper. Warm spices, dark berries and a long, soft finish.

At a glance: 6 x 0.75 l bottles, red wine (100% Shiraz), South Africa, dry. Best served at 16 to 18 degrees.

Vinification

• Cederberg Shiraz 2021: 100% Shiraz from the estate's high-altitude vineyards. Hand-picked, two days of cold maceration, fermented at 27°C with pumping over every six hours and manual pigeage. 10 to 14 days on the skins after fermentation. Barrel malolactic fermentation, around 15 months in 225-litre French oak barriques. Cederberg.
• Kleine Zalze Vineyard Selection Shiraz 2022: 100% Shiraz from selected parcels. Small-batch fermentation, aged in French barriques. Stellenbosch (Kleine Zalze).
• Rainbow's End Shiraz 2021: 100% Shiraz from clones 174, 99 and 9. 12 months in French oak (35% new, 25% second, 25% third, 15% fourth filling). Neither fined nor filtered. Banghoek, Stellenbosch.
• Raka Biography Shiraz 2022: 100% Shiraz. Hand-picked and sorted, four days of cold maceration in stainless steel, fermented with cultured yeasts. Pumped over three to five times a day, with additional pigeage during the first five days. Pressed after around two weeks, malolactic fermentation, then 12 months in 300-litre French and American oak barrels. Klein River.
• Stellenrust Peppergrinder's Shiraz 2023: 100% Shiraz from old vines (planted in 1972). Harvested at 24 to 25°Balling, 24 hours of cold maceration in open fermentation vats. Around 38% whole-bunch fermentation with Rhône yeasts, 10 to 14 days on the skins, manual pigeage every 2 to 6 hours. Fermentation and malolactic fermentation completed in stainless steel, then 12 to 14 months in barrel (95% French, 5% American oak). Stellenbosch (Helderberg).
• Uva Mira The Mira Shiraz 2021: 100% Shiraz from a lower, warmer parcel at the mountain winery. Classically vinified, 16 months in French barriques (40% new). Stellenbosch (Helderberg).

Pairs with: Grilled lamb rack, fillet steak, braai, game dishes, lamb tagine, stews, mushroom risotto, grilled vegetables, biltong, mature hard cheese and dark chocolate.