BALANCE WINEMAKER'S
SELECTION SHIRAZ 2023
WESTERN CAPE • South African Wine
"To keep your balance, you must keep moving — Albert Einstein. An exclusive winemaker's selection where the concentration of ripe fruit and French oak define absolute balance."
The Concentration and Elegance of a Unique Vintage
The Balance Winemaker's Selection Shiraz Western Cape 750ml Red Wine is a faithful reflection of the excellence that can be achieved when climate and winemaker's skill align. The grapes come from vineyards located in a rich range of Western Cape mesoclimates, extending from exposed hillsides to sheltered valleys endowed with granite, sandstone, and alluvial soils. The 2023 vintage was marked by exceptional climatic conditions: low winter rainfall and a cool summer that favored smaller berries but with excellent concentration of sugars, tannins, and phenolic compounds. The result is an exciting, deep, and supremely complex Shiraz.
1. Technical Details
Brand / Line: Balance Winemaker's Selection.
Appellation of Origin: Western Cape, South Africa.
Grape Variety: 100% Shiraz.
Vintage: 2023 Harvest.
Wood Aging: 10 months in selected French oak barrels.
Soil Composition: Terroirs composed of granite, sandstone, and alluvial deposits.
Analytical Data: Alcohol: 13.5% Vol. | Residual Sugar (RS): 4.7 g/l | pH: 3.64 | Total Acidity (TA): 4.83 g/l.
Serving Temperature: 16°C - 18°C.
SKU / MPN: SA-OVE-BALWMSHIZ-2023
2. Luxury Tasting Notes
Appearance: In the glass, it shows a deep ruby red color with intense violet reflections, displaying notable density and well-defined legs.
Nose: With a captivating and sumptuous profile. It displays mature and deep aromas of black and red forest fruits, subtly accompanied by notes of sweet spices and an elegant toasted background from the French oak.
Palate: Presents a sophisticated medium-bodied profile. It stands out for its generous flavor of ripe fruits that harmoniously intertwine with a slight hint of oak and spicy notes. Thanks to its malolactic fermentation and aging, it offers round tannins with a long, smooth, and perfectly balanced finish.
3. Wine Architecture
4. Recommended Moments and Food Pairing
Precision Gourmet Pairing: Its great phenolic concentration and balance make this Shiraz harmonize wonderfully with substantial dishes and powerful flavors. It is the ideal pairing par excellence for grilled meats and seasoned vegetables, as well as intensely flavored game such as a slow-cooked beef stew with its rich sauce. It also pairs excellently with rustic pizzas made with potent ingredients such as spicy sausage, pepperoni, or garlic-sautéed mushrooms.
Suggested Moments:
- Barbecue or Grill: Being a red wine with 10 months in barrel and spicy notes, it is the supreme companion for thick cuts of grilled meat, barbecue pork ribs, and roasted vegetables.
- Business Lunches: As a label belonging to the 'Winemaker's Selection' line, it confers a distinguished status, being excellent for impressing business partners who appreciate structured New World reds.
- Family Meal: A magnificent option to grace the Sunday table alongside a good roast, meat lasagnas, or gourmet pizzas in an atmosphere of shared enjoyment.
- The Ideal Gift: A fantastic and well-presented alternative for gifting to collectors and enthusiasts looking to explore the climatic and fruity complexity of South African terroirs.
frequently asked questions (FAQS)
What is the origin and range of this Shiraz wine?
This wine is produced under the high-end Balance Winemaker's Selection line, and its grapes come from selected vineyards in the Western Cape appellation in South Africa.
What type of aging and vinification does this label receive?
The grapes undergo cold maceration for one day, followed by traditional fermentation with their skins and malolactic fermentation to soften tannins. Subsequently, the wine matures and evolves in French oak barrels for 10 months.
Why is the 2023 vintage considered so special?
Due to a winter water shortage and a cool summer, which resulted in smaller berries but with a very high concentration of sugars, tannins, and phenolic compounds (natural antioxidants that influence flavor, color, and texture), achieving an exciting and very complex red wine.
What type of dishes is this Shiraz recommended to pair with?
It harmonizes wonderfully with substantial preparations: grilled meats and vegetables, beef stews with rich sauces, intensely flavored game dishes, and pizzas with ingredients such as spicy sausage, pepperoni, or mushrooms.
