Fairview Sweet Red Paarl 2024
Fairview Sweet Red Paarl
Region: Coastal Region, South Africa
Vintage: 2024
Bottle size: 75cl
Grape: Durif, Tempranillo
ABV: 18%
This wine is a dark ruby red colour. The nose has strong aromas of baked plums and sweet medjool dates layered with baking spices and caramelized red fruit. The palate has balanced spice and raisin flavours, with a sweet lingering berry finish.
The Petite Sirah is sourced from trellised vineyards on the upper slopes of Fairview Farm in Paarl, planted on decomposed granite soils. A small portion of vintage Tempranillo fortified wine from Paarl is included to add additional layers of depth and complexity to the Cape Ruby style.
The grapes were hand-picked, and then destemmed and crushed. Fermentation proceeded for four to five days, with extended pump-overs to maximise colour and flavour extraction, and was stopped at around 6% alcohol. The wine was then pressed off the skins and fortified with pot-distilled, unaged brandy spirit at 89% alcohol to halt fermentation. The sweet red wine was aged in older French oak barrels for 10 to 12 months before blending and bottling, with sweetness derived solely from natural grape sugars. A small proportion of reserve fortified wine, aged in barrel for seven years, was added to enhance complexity.
The Fairview estate is one of the oldest properties in South Africa, with vines planted as early as 1699. It is situated approximately 50 kilometres from Cape Town, on the lower slopes of Paarl Mountain. The property was bought by Charles Back’s grandfather in 1937 and was subsequently run by his father, Cyril, before Charles took charge. Under his guidance, Fairview have been driven by an ethical philosophy based on social commitment, sustainability, and conservation. The estate has a committee comprised of elected farm workers which ensures equal opportunities and invests in education and training for the workers. In addition, it funds a company which allows the farm workers to make their own wine, lending them the use of Fairview’s winemaking facilities. While all its production is now certified as Fairtrade, Charles doesn’t use the certification as he wants to sell his wines on their quality. The excitement engendered by Fairview was recognised in 2014 when Charles was given the ‘Lifetime Achievement Award’ by the International Wine Challenge.