So-named for its combination of Shiraz, Mourvèdre and Viognier, Fairview’s SMV was one of the first ‘Rhône blends’ produced in South Africa. This wine was made in a traditional fashion. The three varieties were crushed together and matured for 14 months in a mixture of French and American oak. Introduction:
Fairview SMV 2002 is a harmonious blend of Shiraz (66%), Mourvedre (30%) and Viognier (4%). These three varieties, whose ancestrial homes are in warmer parts of the old world, are perfectly suited to our terroir, with its generous soils and warm climate. Ripe Shiraz, with its spicy character is complimented by the savouryness of Mourvedre – and the wine is finished off with Viognier. This expressive, perfectly balanced wine will make an elegant table partner to a whole range of different dishes, including roast leg of lamb stuffed with apricots, spinach and (preferably Fairview) goats milk cheese, gratin of potato with blue cheese and cream, or a ripe cambzola style cheese such as Fairview Bleu en Blanc.
Harvest Date:
March 2002
Oenological Treatment:
A quirk of nature occurred with Shiraz, Mourvedre and Viogneir all being optimally ripe on the same day. This allowed us to crush the three together. The must was cold soaked for a week, before fermentation started. Rhone yeast strains were selected for this wine. The wine transferred directly to a mix of new and second fill French and American barrels where malolactic was completed. The wine spent 14 months in barrel and was bottled with a light filtration.
Wine makers tasting notes:
The 2002 SMV is possibly the only Rhone style blend of this kind in the world. The grapes are grown at Fairview on the southwestern slopes of Paarl Muntain. Fairview is one of the only producers of Mourvedre in South Africa, though the grape has a history here, it having been one of the grapes in our national mix 100 years ago. The mourvedre of old was replaced with such varieties as Chevin and Colombard, but is now having a worthy resurgence. Fairview is also the leading Viognier producer in South Africa. We have also planted both of these varieties on our farm in Malmesbury.
WINE ANALYSIS:
Wine Analysis: Alcohol 14.7% Residual Sugar 2.9g/l Acidity: 5.7 pH 3.57 Colour: Vibrant inky red Aroma: Spice, ripe black fruit and peach Palate: Chunky dense fruit and spice good balance and length Cellaring: drinks well now, but will improve with 3 to 5 years in the bottle.
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