Technical Specifications
Alcohol 14.3%
Residual Sugar 2.2 g/L
pH 3.65
Total Acidity 5.5 g/L
Calories (estimated) 120 kcal / glass
150ml glass120 kcal
750ml bottle600 kcal
Grape Varieties Shiraz, Grenache Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Mourvedre
Shiraz60%
Grenache Noir15%
Cabernet Sauvignon13%
Mourvedre12%
Region Bot River
Harvest Dates 19th February 2021, 25th February 2021, 25th February 2021, 25th & 28th February 2021, 9th, 10th & 19th March 2021, 16th March 2021, 17th March 2021, 19th March 2021, 19th & 21st March 2021, 20th March 2021, 21st March 2021
Brix at Harvest 23.5°
Sites Bot River, Gabriëlskloof; Bot River, Luddite; Overberg, Kempsrivier; Greyton, Greyton Oaks; Bot River, Anysbos; Walker Bay, Ou Meul
Fermentation Vessels Open Bins, Stainless Steel Tank, Oak Barrel
Oak Aging 12 months
Oak Details 20% First Fill New Oak
First Fill New Oak20%
Oak Types French
Production Volume 23,800 bottles
Bottles23,800
Magnums1,030
Production Details Finally, after six dry years, we had a normal rainfall year giving us slightly bigger crops and bigger berries. This has resulted in the 2021 Saboteur Red being lighter and fresher in style than the previous five vintages. This bright red fruit gives the wine an immediate drinkability. The Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache Noir and Mourvèdre were all fermented in small batches in open bins. We used less stalks than previous years due to the lighter vintage. Most of the Shiraz was fermented in stainless steel tanks with regular pump overs. All the components were pressed directly into barrel and aged separately. Some of the batches did malolactic fermentation in barrel which gives a fuller mouth feel and structure. This vintage was in barrel for 12 months with 20% new French Oak. During the blending process, great care was taken to follow the house style of Saboteur, which is increasingly building up a huge following, ie. bold fruit, good spice and soft tannins. The blend this year is 60% Shiraz, 15% Grenache Noir, 13% Cabernet Sauvignon and 12% Mourvèdre. A small portion of the Grenache Noir is from the 2022 vintage which lifts the freshness and red fruit spectrum of this wine.
Tasting Notes
Nose: bright red and cherry fruit with allspice
Palate: juicy red fruit on entry. vibrant fruit on mid-palate. medium structured with a long elegant refreshing finish
Producer Information
Website
Address
Van Der Stel Pass, Bot River, 7185, Western Cape, South Africa
Phone
+27 (0) 28 001 0516
Email
Owner
Niels and Penny Verburg
Cellarmaster
Niels Verburg & Alice Verburg