Spier Creative Block wines are a South African take on traditional Rhône and Bordeaux-style blends. Our winemakers carefully select grapes from different vineyard blocks, combining and blending taste profiles to create wines that are much greater than the sum of their parts. The Spier Creative Block range of blends takes its name from a Spier Arts project proudly supporting South African artists.

Tim Atkin Annual South African Report 2020 - 91 Points

Veritas Wine Awards 2020 - Gold

John Platter Wine Guide 2021 - 4.5 stars

Pair with curries or pork belly.

WINEMAKER
Johan Jordaan

ORIGIN
Coastal

TERROIR / SOIL
Decomposed granite

VINEYARD AND CLIMATE CONDITIONS
The 2017 growing season started with below-average rainfall in the growing regions. Although the average temperatures remained ideal for spring and early summer, the lower water levels in the soils resulted in small berries with concentrated acidity and tannin. Careful foliage management exposed the grapes to more sun to enhance skin thickness for higher extraction and intensity. Selecting the right picking dates was crucial to achieve optimal ripening and balance in the sugar-to-acid ratio, thereby promising harmonious flavours at lower sugar levels.

WINEMAKING
Grapes were harvested by hand before de-stemming to stainless-steel tanks. Fermentation took up to two weeks. Free run wine was racked to barrel for malolactic fermentation and maturation in 90% French and 10% American oak 300L barrels (half first fill, half second fill), for 16 months.

The wines were made individually to address each varietal’s need for undivided attention and to ensure that the varietals' unique characteristics and site expression were completely developed before blending. Selective tasting from the barrels determined the composition of the blend. The expert blending of this Rhône-style blend has ensured harmony between the three varietals and the ultimate balance between fruit, palate volume, oak extract and tannin.

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