Shiraz 2011 and Chardonnay Reserve 2012 Release

Harvesting of the 2013 crop is finally done and the wines are now mellowing in barrels, which means that I can now focus my attention on releasing my latest vintages, the Chardonnay Reserve 2012 and Shiraz 2011 (the latter now ready to release after 2 years of cellar age).  I am particularly happy with these two wines, as I believe that they are my finest yet.

As with all good quality Chardonnays, the 2012 though drinking very nicely now, will undoubtedly still improve with a little bottle age (for two years or more in perfect conditions). There is something about the balance between fruit and oak that only starts to come together perfectly after six months in my view.   It’s almost like watching a 3D movie without the glasses for a few months, and then suddenly the dimensions all come together brilliantly (when you put the specs on). That said, I have been drinking little else (white that is) since the bottling, and am particularly encouraged by the quality of this one, despite its highly acclaimed predecessors. It has lower sugar levels than the 2011, and a slightly fuller body and robustness. Qualities I prefer in a good Chardonnay. It is a wine for Chardonnay lovers, and therefore not a wine for sissies.

The Shiraz 2011, as with my previous Shiraz releases, was harvested in early March 2011, spent 14 months in small 215l French oak barrels after initial fermentation, and a further 10 months in the bottle, laid down to soften, mellow and mature until it was ready in my mind for drinking. One of the beauties of Shiraz is that it becomes drinkable much earlier than Cabernet Sauvignon (another firm favourite of mine, though requiring much patience), and therefore despite this vintage’s clear aging potential, it is already starting to drink rather nicely at two years of age.

It’s never an easy act to follow beating a 4-star rating (Platter 2013), not that that is my inspiration, but a nice challenge to pip at the post. Nevertheless, I'm very proud to be releasing this particular Shiraz, finally, and expect great things of it for a few years yet.

Both new release wines are now available by case lot ex-cellar (within South Africa) and will be available individually from Wine Concepts with other specialist wine retail outlets to follow from late March onwards. I should add that Wine Concepts is also about to open its first specialist wine shop in Jo’burg, (located in the Blubird Centre, Birnam, on the corner of Athol Oaklands Road and Park Road). For more info on the wines and our Cellar Price List and Order Form give us a shout at info@brotherswines.co.za