Lourensford River Garden Shiraz Cabernet Sauvignon 2014 (6/case) (R69/BOTTLE)

A cool winter allowed vines to go into proper dormancy. We experienced lots of rain, thunder storms and floods in August & November. Luckily this did not affect the sensitive flowering and ripening stages too much. The thunder storms and lots of rain resulted in good growth of the vines after budding. We had very little severe South Easter winds at the start of summer which resulted in very good budding & flowering of the vines as well as a record harvest. We experienced a fairly cool summer which resulted in slower ripening and the ability to harvest at lower sugar levels. With good canopy management and perfect harvest decisions we were able to bring the grapes into the cellar at the desired time. This resulted in refined wines with elegance and good natural acidity.

 

The harvest dates were March – April 2014.

 

In The Vineyard

 

Altitude:

 

100-200m above sea level from various locations on Lourensford Wine Estate

Age of vines: 11 – 12 years

Rootstock: 101 – 14 Mgt

Clones: SH09, SH22, CS359, CS46

Slopes: South and North facing slopes

Row direction: North to South

Soil type:

 

Varying soil profiles including high potential soil of Tukulu, Hutton and Pinedene

 

Analysis

 

Alcohol: 14 vol %
pH: 3.50
Total acid: 5.7 g/l
RS: 3.5 g/l

Closure: Aluminium screwcap with Saran/Tin liner

 

Wine Information

 

Cultivar: 72% Shiraz, 20 % Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Durif

Wood: matures in varying ages of 300L French Oak barrels for up to 12 months

 

Maturation Potential

 

This vintage can be enjoyed up to 2018, but will reach its best drinking potential towards the middle of 2016.

 

Food Pairing

 

A wine to be enjoyed with everyday home-style dishes from meat on the barbeque to more hearty stews and pasta’s or even just with a beef sandwich for lunch.