2005 Borg Family Shiraz maiden vintage of this small production Shiraz out of Stellenbosch
Tasting
Notes
8/7/07
It has been stated that Shiraz is fast becoming the contender for the title of being the grape that South Africa produces its best wine from. That being said, this new player, the Borg Family, with the initial release of their 2005 Stellenbosch Shiraz, gives validity to the notion that yes, Shiraz is fast becoming a formidable varietal in the Cape.
Borg Family Wines was created in 2004 by Jeremy Borg, former chef and marketer from Fairview, and his photographer wife, Emma. Their goal is to produce small batches of Shiraz and Pinotage based wines from the best terriors that the Western Cape has to offer. Their first release is their 2005 Shiraz which has 5% Viognier added to it. The total production is a little over 130 cases from 2 select barrels. The Shiraz and Viognier were co-fermented and then aged for 12 months in a combination of new and 3rd year French and American oak. The end result is a fine, boutique wine in the truest since of the word that displays a refined palate with noted complexity and balanced tannins.
The 2005 Borg Family Shiraz offers loads of personality and is classically structured showcasing floral top notes of lavender and violets that give way to pepper and clove spice characters underpinned with notes of bacon fat then fruits of red and dark plums as well as a hint of apricot sweetness, from the addition of the small percentage of Viognier. The palate is medium fuller bodied with a suppleness that gains flesh and depth with aeration, packed with earthy dark fruits etched with spice and notes of chocolate and toast on the dry finish. Although this is young, primary and still evolving, this has enough softness and flesh to give it immediate appeal yet has the tannin structure to develop nicely over the next 3-4 years.
