Top Cape Cellar
Saxenburg is credited as one of
the Cape’s Top
Ten Cellars. This wonderful endorsement comes
from WINE magazine (Oct 03). The list of
prestigious wineries was based upon WINE’s
ratings of 5, 41
/2, 4 and 31
/2 Star wines over the
past ten years. Saxenburg was placed sixth in
the list.
Saxenburg customers will already
know that
we strive for wines of “consistent and exceptional
quality”. This recent endorsement certainly
underlines the Saxenburg philosophy. “We are
very proud of
our achievement,” comments winemaker Nico van
der Merwe. “Many wines
come and go depending upon what’s in vogue
and what’s not. It has always been my objective
to make Saxenburg wines consistent in style and
quality no matter what the vintage.”
Shiraz Takes Gold
Saxenburg Private Collection
Shiraz 2000 was
awarded a Gold Medal in London from the
International Wine Challenge 2003. There were
more than 9000 wines entered for this
prestigeous competition. Saxenburg was one
of just four Gold Medals awarded for Cape
Shiraz.
Stop Press!
Saxenburg Private Collection
Sauvignon Blanc 2003 selected by Decanter Magazine,
London in the TOP 100 WINES (March 2003). “Aromatic,
fresh, pure. Very fresh and zesty with a faint
prickle ...”
A Dream Wine
Saxenburg Shiraz Select 2000
is described by winemaker
Nico van der Merwe as “a dream wine”. Affectionately
called “Triple S” it is 100% Shiraz. This
thoroughbred is
crafted from the very best Saxenburg Shiraz grapes.
The
handpicked grapes from two vineyard sites ultimately
produced just 200 cases.
What makes this rare wine so
special? For depth of
flavour and intensity of fruit, the grapes were selected
from old-clone vines about 26-28 years old. The vines
are
well established growing on decomposed granite. Pruning
during the summer leaves just a few bunches of grapes
to fully grow and ripen. The low yield and absence
of
irrigation ensures concentrated fruit flavours in the
juice
and dense but soft tannins.
The wine was fermented in French
oak for three months
and then matured for 10 months in 300 litre second-fill
American oak barrels. Whilst there has already been
a
selection process in the vineyard, further selection
was
made from the barrel before the wine was bottled in
July
2001.
The Saxenburg SSS 2000 has been
lavished the utmost
care by Nico. In everyway this is a handcrafted
wine. Nico’s penchant for Shiraz (or Syrah when
he works at Château Capion) shines through
in this exemplary wine. When tasting the wine
the first word that comes to mind is “finesse”.
Can this be described as a “blockbuster” when
it exudes such elegance, grace and poise?
The wine reflects style; it is chic and refined.
There is no doubt this is a wine for collectors
and wine connoisseurs. It is ready for
immediate drinking but will start “talking” in
two years - or more.
Saxenburg Shiraz Select will
make its debut
on the international stage this year as the first
orders are shipped to Asia and Europe. Nico
van der Merwe will present the wine at the
prestigious International Wine Spirit Fair in
London during May. For local stockist
information and availability please contact
Saxenburg Wine Farm. |
