South Africa, Stellenbosch
Cabernet Sauvignon
Description
Deep black cherry colour with healthy and youthful rim. The nose exhibits a pot pourri of flavours ranging from Santa Rosa plum, violets, a touch of truffle and forest floor. The tell tale black currant bud and lead pencil herbaceousness adds to the unmistakable Cabernet Sauvignon personality coming from a cooler vintage in the Cape. Delicious sweet, well rounded flavours on the palate are perfectly framed by the seamless fine grained tannins which have softened sufficiently to allow the ripe berry fruitiness to shine through. Spicy clove and vanillin oak notes add to the complexity and lingering aftertaste. A Cabernet with elegance and finesse which can be enjoyed now, after seven years or matured until 2018 -2022.
Awards
4.5 stars Platter's South African Wine Guide
Alcohol
15.0%
Analytical data
dry
Vinification
The yield was limited by green harvesting to one bunch per shoot. The grapes were hand picked and destemmed before a cold soak was allowed for two days to enhance the berry fruit aromas. The fermentation was started by inoculation with a Bordeaux yeast to give a slow, even fermentation which peaked at 28°Celsius. Pumpovers were done together with aerations to extract the maximum colour and fruit and after fermentation the maceration lasted a total of 29 days. After pressing the wine was racked into a selection of the best tight grain new French oak for a total of 26 months. During the maturation the wine was racked and aerated every few months to soften the tannins and help with the integration of the fruit, tannin and oak.
Maturation
New French Oak
