From Shiraz to Merlot wine, Hazendal has some of the finest South African red wines on offer that provide the ideal complement to any meal or occasion. With so many excellent wines available, it can be difficult to choose. Find out more about each Shiraz, Merlot, Cabernet and Pinotage on offer from Hazendal and choose the perfect vintage.

Whether you want to indulge in the aromas of dark chocolate or sample flavours of berries, Hazendal has the ideal red wine for your palate. Useful tasting notes will help you to enjoy your wine even more and you can even impress the most experienced of wine connoisseurs with your extensive knowledge.

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HAZENDAL - SHIRAZ CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2007

Cultivars: 53% Shiraz and 47% Cabernet Sauvignon.

Vineyard Notes: The Shiraz vineyards on Hazendal Wine Estate were planted in the mid 1970s. The grapes are picked when they are as ripe as possible to ensure good tannin levels. The Cabernet vineyards were planted in 1992.

Tasting Notes: This deep red South African Shiraz blend has an earthy, spicy and upfront nose with aromas of smoked meat and ripe plums. The rich plum flavours translate to the palate and are met by the tastes of blackcurrant and dark chocolate in the mid-palate. This Shiraz wine blend has a bold tannin structure, a long finish and a spicy aftertaste. The wine was matured for 12 months in French oak barrels and needs time to develop to its full potential.

Your Role: Integration of different components would benefit from three to five years ageing. Drink now or let your patience be paid off and leave this Shiraz wine on your wine rack for as long as you can bear it.

Food Paring Notes: Pairs perfectly with roasted and grilled meats such as beef, venison and rib-eye.

Technical Analysis:	Alc	13.5% vol.
	RS	1.9 g/L
	TA	5.45 g/L

 

 

HAZENDAL - MERLOT 2007

Vineyard Notes: To date, this is Hazendal's second crop of Merlot grapes and the vineyards are 15 years old this year.

Tasting Notes: This Merlot wine has lovely cedar wood and cigar boxes on the nose and delicious compote of dark berries with a predominant blackberry character on the palate. This is well balanced with gentle, earthy oak flavours and a herby frame marked by meaty ripeness with a combination of pepper and fruit. Due to its vine maturity, this vintage has a bigger, bolder flavour concentration concentration when compared with other Merlot wines and is very fresh in its approach, showcasing the innovative winemaking techniques of the Hazendal Estate. Aged for 12 months in French oak barrels, this Merlot wine is ready to drink.

Your Role: The lovely ripe tannins make the flavours immediately accessible, but this wine will also age well, so you can either save it for a special occasion or enjoy straight away.

Food Pairing Notes: Makes an excellent pairing with meat dishes such as duck, goose and roasted beef or lamb.

Technical Analysis:	Alc	14.5% vol.
	RS	1.6 g/L
	TA	5.9 g/L

 

 

RESERVED RED 2008

Cultivars: 45% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon and 25% Shiraz.

Tasting Notes: This classically fruit driven ruby red South African Shiraz blend has an upfront nose and rich blackberry and raspberry flavours translated to the palate. It is a well balanced, medium bodied wine with hints of creamy chocolate.

Your Role: This Shiraz wine blend is slightly wooded with soft tannins and is ready to drink straight away, so don't hesitate to enjoy this vintage.

Food Pairing Notes: Hazendal's pasta and pizza wine. Also pairs nicely with red meat dishes such as roast beef or lamb.

Technical Analysis:	Alc	14% vol.
	RS	2.2 g/L
	TA	5.6 g/L

 

 

HAZENDAL - SHIRAZ 2008

Vineyard Notes: The Shiraz wine vineyards are 20 years old and yield up to five tons per hectare. The wine was matured in 300 litre French oak barrels for 12 months.

Tasting Notes: There are layers of red berry, musk and pencil shavings on the nose. The palate has rich flavours of fruitcake and allspice, balanced by a fire ripe tannin structure, with a lingering aftertaste. Visit Hazendal's Wine Characters page to find out more about how a Shiraz should really taste.

Your Role: This South African Shiraz is accessible now but needs to be aged for a further two to four years to be experienced at its absolute best.

Food Pairing Notes: An excellent food accompaniment for red meat dishes.

Technical Analysis:	Alc	14.5% vol.
	RS	2.1 g/L
	TA	5.6 g/L

 

 

HAZENDAL - PINOTAGE 2007

Vineyard Notes: The grapes were brought from a vineyard in Faure Stellenbosch and Walker Bay and were picked at optimum ripeness.

Tasting Notes: This deep, dark centred wine has sweet blackberry and smokiness aromas on the nose that follow through nicely to the palate. The wine is then completed by a round finish and soft tannins. Its firm, full-bodied structure will hold up the wine for five to eight years.

Your Role: While ready to drink now, this wine can be matured for at least another two to three years and saved for an extra-special occasion.

Food Pairing Notes: Pairs well with tuna, swordfish or grouper and balances strong game meats such as rabbit and venison well. Also great with a rich dessert cake or chocolate soufflé.

Technical Analysis:	Alc	14% vol.
	RS	2.8 g/L
	TA	5.2 g/L