WALSER/MALAN Alliance 2006

The WALSER/MALAN Alliance blend was made up by myself and winemaker Marius Malan.

Initially I made all the wine for BLANKbottle myself. My business grew exponentially over the past 2 years and my own wines are now all sold out. I therefore selected the wine from barrel, making up the blend and bottling it. This is why I am giving recognition to the winemakers who assist me with this. Marius Malan harvested the Grapes (Simonsberg in Stellenbosch). He fermented in large closed top stainless steel fermenters and racked to barrel. The wine was then aged in barrel for 16 months. The Cabernet Sauvignon was aged in all French, 50% new oak. The Shiraz was aged on all American, 50% new oak.

This is where I came in: I met Marius through a mutual friend. He selected the wines he had to use for his own label and there were a few barrels left. We then start with the tasting part. We tasted all the wine and identified single standout barrels. I then made trail blends to see if the selected barrels compliment each other. From there on it was a process of tasting, blending and tasting.

Marius and myself settled with a blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon and 30% Shiraz 2006.

I am sitting with a glass of the wine next to me: The wine has been in bottle for about 2 months. Still way to young but let’s give it a try. On the nose I get bright fruit: Fresh crushed berries: 70% dark black berries 20% plum with the 10% Cherry. Subtle but fresh new oak! On the palate the wine explodes with minty freshness, black berries and spice. A prominent but ripe tannin structure rounds the wine off with an aftertaste that will last you a lifetime! SPECTACULAR to say the least. My best ever??? I am not sure! Let’s see in 10 years from now. Best will be in 3-5 years after harvest but I am positive that it will be spectacular up to 10 years.

Analysis
Alcohol 14.16% vol
Extract 35.66 g/l
Residual sugar 2.94 g/l
pH 3.59
Acidity 6.16

ENJOY!