Waterford Estate Kevin Arnold Shiraz 2021

The Waterford Estate Kevin Arnold Shiraz 2021 is one of the estate’s signature wines and a long-standing expression of Helderberg-grown Shiraz. Named in honour of Waterford’s founding winemaker and former cellarmaster, Kevin Arnold, the wine reflects both the estate’s history and its distinctive Stellenbosch terroir.

The 2021 vintage combines 91% Shiraz with 9% Mourvèdre, with the latter bringing additional savoury depth and structure. A longer ripening season helped develop excellent fruit concentration while retaining freshness, resulting in a wine that balances the richer character associated with Shiraz with the perfume and elegance of classical Syrah.

The wine is matured for 20 months in older French oak, including larger-format barrels and foudre. The restrained use of oak allows the fruit, spice and mineral character of the Helderberg to remain at the forefront.

Tasting Notes

Colour: Deep ruby-red with vibrant crimson highlights.

Nose: Highly expressive, with an intriguing combination of smoky chorizo, violets and vibrant red and black fruits. Savoury spice, subtle pepper and mineral nuances add complexity, while the floral character provides an elegant lift.

Palate: Smooth, layered and beautifully structured. Fresh red and black berry fruit is supported by velvety tannins and bright acidity. Savoury notes and a subtle mineral edge provide tension and complexity, preventing the wine from becoming overly rich or heavy.

Finish: Long, linear and refined, with lingering dark fruit, savoury spice, fine tannins and a distinctive mineral character. The structure suggests excellent potential for further development in bottle.

Awards & Accolades

The 2021 vintage has received excellent recognition:

• 93 Points – Tim Atkin MW, South Africa Special Report 2025
• 4.5 Stars – Platter’s Wine Guide 2026

Food Pairing

An excellent partner for venison, slow-roasted lamb shoulder, beef fillet, braaied meats and chargrilled mushrooms. The combination of bright acidity, savoury spice and fine tannins works particularly well with rosemary, black pepper and smoky flavours.

Technical Details

• Producer: Waterford Estate
• Wine: Kevin Arnold Shiraz
• Vintage: 2021
• Country: South Africa
• Region: Stellenbosch
• Terroir: Helderberg Mountain
• Blend: 91% Shiraz, 9% Mourvèdre
• Harvesting: Hand-harvested
• Fermentation: Whole berries fermented for approximately 14 days
• Malolactic Fermentation: In older French oak
• Maturation: 20 months in older French oak barrels, including 300L, 500L and 2,400L foudre
• Alcohol: 13% ABV
• Residual Sugar: 1.5 g/L
• Total Acidity: 5.0 g/L
• pH: 3.68
• Bottle Size: 750ml
• Cellaring Potential: 5–20 years