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Eenzaamheid Shiraz 2020

Tasting Notes

Eenzaamheid, which translates to solitude in Dutch, has a vast array of vineyards under production, around 400 hectares  in total. Most of what it produces is sold off to other wineries, many who are  recognized as some of the Cape’s finest, while a small portion is siphoned off and produced under its own label. Production is quite small for the moment, around 6,000 cases per annum, with more volume growth planned as part of the future under winemaker Janno Brier-Louw, a Cape Wine Master and son of owner’s  Christo and Karina Briers-Loew.

This is a winery to watch and the 2020 Eenzaamheid Shiraz last year was awarded Winemag’s ‘Top Shiraz of the Year’. Winemag is recognized as South Africa’s major source for reviewing wines along with John Platter’s South African Guide, respectively. This is a noteworthy award and the wine really is impressive. It’s not big in scale but it has terrific palate presence, offering an engaging aromatic and flavor profile while being very true to varietal with all its savory spices and its smoky, gamey red fruit layered palate that is matched by refined tannins that give it a seamless textural feel. It’s extremely complex and has a good number of years of great drinking in front of it. There’s a lot of wine for $27.99 a bottle, you won’t find this wine anywhere else and that’s why we can offer such eye-catching value. Serious juice for the money.

Winery: Eenzaamheid
Varietal: Shiraz
SKU: EENSHI2020 Categories: ,
Bottle Size: 750 ml
Eenzamheid Shiraz 2020

$27.99

Awards/Reviews

96 pts Winemag

Best Red Wine Overall Winemag / Prescient Best Wines South Africa 2022

20% whole-bunch fermentation. Matured for 11 months in larger format oak barrels. Expressive aromatics of red berries, musk, fynbos, cured meat, pepper and spice while the palate has a great core of fruit with zippy acidity and crunchy tannins. Harmonious and packed with flavour.

 

4 ½ Stars 2023 Platter Platter’s South African Wine Guide

Elegant 20 (93 pts) displays earthy hedgerow fruit, mulberry & fynbos; on  palate fruit is in perfect harmony with fragrant seasonings – coriander, meat spice & savoury oak, 15% new, 11 months. 20% wholebunch. Quite tight still, decant in youth. No 18, 19.

92 pts Tim Atkin MW 2022

Eenzaamheid’s Syrah is made with two clones – 1 and 9 – planted on shale and granite soils in the Agter Paarl. Picked early to retain freshness, with 20% whole bunches adding some sap and structure, this is a firm, serious, almost salty red with good ageing potential, notes of black tea, kelp and white pepper and a fresh finish. 2023-28

Winemaker Notes

This is a clonal blend of SH1 & SH9, harvested from micro pockets of shale and granite soils. Grapes are harvested in crates, sorted and destemmed. Cool fermented, 20% whole bunch. Fermentation took place in open top fermentation vessels and the rising cap was punched down every 4-6 hours. Matured in larger format oak barrels for 11 months.

Intriguing notes of Fynbos shrub, Cape succulents, delicate red fruits, tilled earth, smoked venison and a kick of Eenzaamheid dust on the nose. The gentle tannic grip on the palate entry is sublimely supported by pure red fruits to flesh out the mid palate. Lively flavours of crunchy red currants, fresh herbs and a bright acidity to aid the wine’s freshness. The finish is supported by savoury notes of black olives, tobacco and dried herbs. The multi-faceted nuances need time to be appreciated – if you’re looking for a quick fix of dense fruit extraction and weighted new oak, stay clear. This wine needs time in the glass to release that understated elegance and subtle aromas of white pepper and cured meat voluptuousness.

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