The Private Collection

Magnum Shiraz 2004

Winemaker’s comments
This elegant wine is best complimented by game or full-flavoured meat dishes and is ideal to mature for those special winter occasions. This 100% Shiraz with its warm spicy flavours and hints of coffee strikes a fine balance between fruit and tannins, reflecting our past experience and Saxenburg’s ongoing cellar and vineyard investments.

Vinification Details
Only selected vineyards or part of vineyards. Open tank fermentation at 30°C, with plunging and pumping over, four times daily. Three further weeks of skin contact after fermentation with malolactic fermentation in tanks, no fining or filtration before barrel maturation.

Type & Size of Oak Barrels 300 liter American (80%) and French (20%) oak barrels, 30% new, 35% second fill and 35% third fill. Duration in Wood 12 months, no racking. When Bottled December 2005, from selected barrels, with course filtration prior to bottling and no cold stabilization. Maturation Potential 10 years or more. Wine Analysis Alc: 15% T.A: 5.8 g/l p.H.: 3.8 R.S.: 1.7 g/l

Position in Vineyards Predominantly west-sloping for the extra warmth. Type of Soil Vineyards are on medium to poor soil to maintain low production levels, high flavour concentration and body. Average Age of Vines 16 years. Viticulture Practice Trellised, no irrigation, ‘vendange vert’ for lower yields and smaller berries. Yield per Hectare 3 tons. Time of Harvest Middle February to beginning of March 2004.