Saronsberg Shiraz 2018

It was something of a surprise to me when Saronsberg Die Erf Shiraz 2018 as made by Dewaldt Heyns emerged as my joint top wine after a recent blind tasting of this year’s CWG Auction wines as I’ve tended to find his wines overdone in the past. Though Die Erf is not short of flavour intensity, it comes across as medium bodied and well balanced.

I was consequently curious to sample a bottle of the standard-label 2018 and was again impressed. Make no mistake, Heyns is not trying to make anything too light – around 10% of the must being dejuiced, extend maceration given after fermentation and maturation lasting 20 months in French oak, 80% new. Alcohol is also not low at 14.3%.

The result, however, is rather stylish. On the nose, black berries, pepper and some flinty reduction with some floral fragrance in the background while the palate is rich and deep – succulent rather than sweet with bright acidity and nicely grippy tannins. All in all, very nicely handled. Price: R290 a bottle.

CE’s rating: 93/100.

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