Luddite Shiraz . . . 2020

Luddite Shiraz 2020

Even though the drought was broken, and we had better rainfall leading up to the harvest, the knock-on effect of the previous five years drought still affected us as the vines struggled to recover. Unfortunately, our crop was low again and both blocks were picked together and fitted into one tank for fermentation.

Due to the high skin to juice ratio, we got incredible colour within a few days of fermentation. We allowed the malolactic fermentation to finish while on skins which gave us extra post-fermentation maceration and a chance for the wine to pick up really fine tannins. We pressed and allowed the wine to finish malolactic fermentation in the tank before racking to barrel. After 2 years in barrel, we made up the final blend using a small amount of Mourvèdre and Cabernet Sauvignon from our own vineyards to fill out the mid-palate. 100% French Oak of which 11% was new.

Grapes were sourced from Luddite vineyard sites:

• Young Block harvested on the 11th February 2020
• Old Block harvested on the 11th February 2020 

Analysis of fruit at harvest:

24.0° Balling, TA – 6.8 g/l, pH – 3.42

Tasting Notes as at 1** st **** March 2023:**

Appearance:Dark red in colour with purple hues which carries through to edge of glass.

Nose:

All spice, Turkish delight and dark fruit.

Palate:

Juicy fruit and spice on entry. Tell-tale Luddite dark fruit core in mid-palate. Plumpness. Balanced by fine tannins on finish. Aftertaste is long, dry and slightly salty.

Analysis of the wine: 

Alcohol: 14.65% pH: 3.55 TA: 5.6 g/l RS: 2.4 g/l

6 000 bottles of this vintage were produced

Anmeldelse fra Chr. Eedes, WineMagazine (oktober 2023):

Luddite Shiraz 2020
Total production still reduced at 6 000 bottles as vines continued to recover from drought. 10% stalks added back before maturation lasting 24 months in barrel, 15% new. Small amounts of Cabernet Sauvignon and Mourvèdre added to fill out the mid-palate. Red and black berries, fynbos, lilies and white pepper on the nose. The palate is juicy and luscious – great depth of fruit, soft but sufficient acidity and powdery tannins. Opulent, as always, but still retaining balance. Alc: 14.65%

CE’s rating: 94/100.