Eikendal scoops two coveted Old Mutual trophies

Friday, 31 May, 2013
Eikendal
Eikendal Vineyards' Charisma 2011 hailed Best Shiraz Based Blend and Discovery of the Show.

Eikendal Vineyards, situated in the Helderberg ward known for its quality grape-growing terroir, soared with a double trophy triumph at the 2013 Old Mutual Trophy Wine Show, with its beguiling Charisma 2011 – a fruit-forward Shiraz-driven blend – hailed overall Best Shiraz Based Blend and The Old Mutual Discovery of the Show at this year’s competition.

No newcomer to this highly contested challenge, Eikendal clinched awards for both its red and white flagship wines at last year’s contest. Its Bordeaux-style red blend, Classique 2009, won the Old Mutual Trophy for the Best Red Wine as well as the Riedel Trophy for the Best Bordeaux-style Red Blend whilst the wooded Eikendal Chardonnay 2011 scooped a gold medal.

The winning Charisma 2011 – a cellar gem born from winemaker Nico Grobler’s intrepid wine travels across the globe – is a harmonious melange of Shiraz (88%), Petit Verdot (7%) and Sangiovese (5%) that showcases his love for unique red blends, made with rare varietals.

“I love the challenge and unpredictable nature and the adrenaline rush it evokes when it comes down to the blending of the different cultivars. You have all the best quality ingredients and you know the basic guidelines, but the proof lies in the final result. The Charisma 2011 is Rhône meets Spain meets Italy in one bottle,” shares Nico.

The Eikendal Charisma 2011 is made in a New World, fresh and upfront style with intense fruit on the nose which follows gracefully through onto the palate. Silky tannins with a hint of sweetness ensure a smooth wine with delicious, juicy fruit.

Perfectly positioned on the famed ‘golden slopes’ of South Africa’s red wine production area – midway between Stellenbosch and Somerset West – Eikendal maximises its favourable terroir and close proximity to False Bay to produce great wines with strong regional and varietal integrity.

Hand-picked at optimum ripeness, the three different grape varieties that make up the Eikendal Charisma 2011 were vinified separately and spent 15 months in new (11%) and older oak barrels prior to blending, after which it spent another three months in the tank before it was bottled.

Described by the winemaker as ‘a different blend that makes sense once it is in your glass’, Eikendal Charisma 2011 exudes classic spice and violet nuances and the Shiraz lends a clean, fresh structure to the wine, whilst the Petit Verdot adds black fruit and spunk to the blend. The smack of Sangiovese adds the final, refined touches to the wine with its clean fruit and kiss of tomato paste.

Eikendal Charisma 2011 is delicious right now, but also has the body and structure to improve with cellaring over the next 4-6 years. This wine is a stellar choice with red meats, game dishes and roasted veggies with olive, oil, herbs and garlic.

The wine retails from R72 per bottle and is available directly from the Eikendal tasting room or at select fine wine outlets and restaurants countrywide. For more information or wine orders contact Eikendal at Tel: (+27)21 855 1422 or email: orders@eikendal.co.za
 
Eikendal is an easy 40 minute drive from Cape Town and the spectacular landscape of the nearby Helderberg Mountains; its quality wines, and popular restaurant make Eikendal a worthwhile port of call while visiting the area. Its glistening dam with towering water fountain is a real landmark in the area and offers the perfect Winelands hotspot for fly fishing.