Spice Route Chakalaka 2011
R585.00
Spice Route Chakalaka 2011 is a bold Swartland blend driven by Shiraz and supported by five complementary varieties. Rich, spicy and smooth, it captures the warm, robust character of the region.
Technical Specs:
Food Pairing
Perfect with braaied meats, beef stews, lamb shanks, spiced dishes or hearty vegetarian meals. Its savoury spice also works well with charcuterie and smoky flavours.
Tasting Notes
Deep red-purple in the glass. Smoky cloves and savoury notes lead the nose, followed by plum, black cherry and sweet oak spice. The palate is medium-bodied with well-integrated fruit and oak, smooth tannins and lingering spice on the finish.
More details
The Spice Route Chakalaka 2011 comes from vineyards planted across the Swartland on Oakleaf and Koffieklip soils. Shiraz forms the core of the blend, harvested from a dryland, trellised vineyard that produced six tons per hectare in 2011. The remaining varieties come from low-yielding bushvines that add depth and complexity to the wine.
Harvest took place from mid-February to the end of March. Shiraz was machine-harvested early in the morning, while the rest of the grapes were picked by hand. After destemming and light crushing, the fruit fermented in open concrete tanks with manual punch-downs twice a day, and three times daily for Grenache. Each component matured separately in French and American oak for about eighteen months before blending.
The final wine is rich, spicy and expressive. It shows plum, black cherry, cloves and warm oak, supported by smooth tannins and a savoury finish. This blend reflects the bold, flavourful style that defines Spice Route and remains a standout example of South African wine from the Cape Winelands.