Pilgrim Shiraz 2019

Composition: 100% Shiraz / Syrah
Region: Stellenbosch
Production: 3,000 bottles
ABV: 14%
Drink: Now to 2035

Winemaker’s Notes:

From the start, my intention to work with Shiraz was to produce the perfect in-betweener.

There are in general 2 polar styles to Shiraz/Syrah in South Africa (hence the use of the 2 different varietal names depicting the style in which it is produced). One is the more traditional South African big and juicy fruit. The other style is one where the younger generation winemakers were so adamant to move away from the “old” style, that they went the polar antithesis to what has been the staple for so long (and good for them all to try and buck the trend).

That is what sparked my interest to produce something that is the golden mean, purely because the styles are currently so far removed, there should surely be one.

And then on the palate I wanted fine tannins with a long serious focus on the length and purity of the weight – not too big, not too lean, just right. The goldilocks mean.

Judicial barrels age saw this wine in barrel for 16 months and bottled in October without any fining or filtration.