Brampton Shiraz 2007
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This savory, Rhône-inspired Shiraz combines juicy flavors of wild berry, black cherry, and brambly fruit with elements of earth, dark chocolate, pepper, and exotic spice. The Viognier component provides a lovely aromatic dimension and a floral freshness on the palate. Pair this lip smacking bottling with grilled or braised meats, game dishes, or roast leg of lamb with Provencal spices.
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Savory, luscious and aromatic, with waves of dark chocolate, spice and wild berries, this wine is meaty and rich inn character with a spin of smoke. Blended with a touch of Mourvedre and Viognier for added depth, it's smooth but sturdy and has aging potential.
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2008-
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Grapes for the Brampton wines are selected from the Rustenberg estate vineyards on the Simonsberg as well as from Nooitgedacht, proprietor Simon Barlow’s property high on the Helderberg slope, overlooking False Bay, where mountain ridges are cooled by gentle salt breezes. All of the Brampton wines are fermented in stainless steel. Each vineyard block is vinified separately, and the parcels are later blended to create supple, fruit-driven wines. The whites are aged in tank in order to preserve the fresh fruit flavors of the wines. After the initial fermentation is complete, the reds are run to small oak barrels for malolactic fermentation and maturation of up to 15 months before bottling.
Each Brampton label is etched with a "B", playfully scrawled in vivid, varietal-specific colors. The range is packaged under user-friendly screw cap closures, ensuring fresh, juicy flavors and consistent quality. Perfect everyday wines and great for casual gatherings, Brampton offers tremendous value and sophisticated winemaking in every sip.
Marked by an unmistakable deep purple hue and savory aromatics, Syrah makes an intense, powerful and often age-worthy red. Native to the Northern Rhône, Syrah achieves its maximum potential in the steep village of Hermitage and plays an important component in the Red Rhône Blends of the south, adding color and structure to Grenache and Mourvèdre. Syrah is the most widely planted grape of Australia and is important in California and Washington. Sommelier Secret—Such a synergy these three create together, the Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre trio often takes on the shorthand term, “GSM.”
With an important wine renaissance in full swing, impressive red and white bargains abound in South Africa. The country has a particularly long and rich history with winemaking, especially considering its status as part of the “New World.” In the mid-17th century, the lusciously sweet dessert wines of Constantia were highly prized by the European aristocracy. Since then, the South African wine industry has experienced some setbacks due to the phylloxera infestation of the late 1800s and political difficulties throughout the following century.
Today, however, South Africa is increasingly responsible for high-demand, high-quality wines—a blessing to put the country back on the international wine map. Wine production is mainly situated around Cape Town, where the climate is generally warm to hot. But the Benguela Current from Antarctica provides brisk ocean breezes necessary for steady ripening of grapes. Similarly, cooler, high-elevation vineyard sites throughout South Africa offer similar, favorable growing conditions.
South Africa’s wine zones are divided into region, then smaller districts and finally wards, but the country’s wine styles are differentiated more by grape variety than by region. Pinotage, a cross between Pinot Noir and Cinsault, is the country’s “signature” grape, responsible for red-fruit-driven, spicy, earthy reds. When Pinotage is blended with other red varieties, like Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah or Pinot Noir (all commonly vinified alone as well), it is often labeled as a “Cape Blend.” Chenin Blanc (locally known as “Steen”) dominates white wine production, with Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc following close behind.