Saxenburg Private Collection Shiraz 2012
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Saxenburg was acquired in 1989 by Adrian Bührer who, together with his wife Birgit and their young family, has revived the proud family tradition of Saxenburg’s historic past, ensuring that Saxenburg will continue to grow and develop in the future years.
Situated on the hills above Kuilsriver between the two oceans, the vineyards enjoy ideal soil and climatic conditions and cool breezes from False Bay during the summer months. The winemaker and vineyard staff work closely with nature and share a sense of achievement when producing only the finest.
Nico van der Merwe, Saxenburg’s wine-maker, became the South African Champion Winemaker of 1991, and his expertise and dedication assures the continued quality of Saxenburg wines. Nico feels that there must be real harmony between the grapes and the wine, and his control of the vineyard and wine cellar, combined with the sharing of his knowledge and skills with his staff, enables Saxenburg to produce wines of exceptional quality.
Marked by an unmistakable deep purple hue and savory aromatics, Syrah makes an intense, powerful and often age-worthy red. Native to the Northern Rhône, Syrah achieves its maximum potential in the steep village of Hermitage and plays an important component in the Red Rhône Blends of the south, adding color and structure to Grenache and Mourvèdre. Syrah is the most widely planted grape of Australia and is important in California and Washington. Sommelier Secret—Such a synergy these three create together, the Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre trio often takes on the shorthand term, “GSM.”
South Africa’s most famous wine-producing district, Stellenbosch, surrounds the historic town with the same name; fine winemaking here dates back to the late 1600s. Its valleys of granite, sandstone and alluvial loam soils between the towering blue-grey mountains of Stellenbosch, Simonsberg and Helderberg have the capacity to produce beautiful wines from many varieties. The climate is warm Mediterranean, tempered by the cool Atlantic air of nearby False Bay.
Perhaps most well-known for its Pinotage and Bordeaux blends, Stellenbosch also produces noteworthy wines from Syrah, Chenin blanc, Chardonnay and Sauvignon blanc. The district’s wards—Banghoek, Bottelary, Devon Valley, Jonkershoek Valley, Papegaaiberg, Polkadraai Hills and Simonsberg-Stellenbosch—all produce distinctive wines from vines with relatively low yields.