2006 Sebeka® Shiraz-Pinotage "Cape Blend"
The Sebeka South Africa Shiraz-Pinotage “Cape Blend,” in its award-winning first year in market, received a score of 88 points, a “Best Buy” recognition, and was ranked #15 on the highly coveted “100 Top Best Buys of 2007” list from Wine Enthusiast. The Pinotage grape, South Africa’s signature varietal, is a cross of Pinot Noir and Cinsault, containing distinguishable fruit aromas and adding smoky elements to blends. This fruit-forward wine combines the jammy blackberry, dark cherry, and spice of Shiraz with the intense berry notes, acidity, and smoky earth notes of Pinotage, creating a complex and layered wine of great character. Cape Blend is well-balanced and pairs easily with various rich foods. It is at its best when enjoyed within two years of release.
The 2006 Sebeka South Africa Shiraz-Pinotage “Cape Blend” is composed of grapes from various fine vineyards in the Western Cape. After carefully hand harvesting and de-stemming Shiraz and Pinotage grapes, they were crushed, pressed and fermented separately in upright stainless steel tanks to emphasize youthful fruit flavors. After undergoing fermentation at 22-25°C for ten days and spending seven days macerating on the skins to intensify color and taste, malolactic fermentation produced a buttery flavor. Blake tasted the final wines and blended 60% Shiraz with 40% Pinotage to create a deep burgundy wine that exemplifies the vibrant and robust style of South Africa.
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