Technical Specifications
Grape Varieties Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec, Cabernet Franc
Cabernet Sauvignon58%
Merlot17%
Malbec14%
Cabernet Franc11%
Region Paarl
Oak Aging 22 months
Oak Details 69% First Fill New Oak
First Fill New Oak69%
Oak Types French
Production Details Twenty-two months in sixty-nine percent new French oak barrique, with the balance in older French oak. Thirty-six barrels were produced. The 2018 vintage was marked by the worst drought on record, with water resources at an all-time low and strict water rationing. Water from the Berg River Water Scheme was cut to forty-five percent of usual allocation, then further cut to twenty percent in December. Low soil moisture and limited irrigation led to reduced vigour and canopy size. Unseasonable rain and low temperatures in October and November disrupted fruit set and reduced berry number and size. Harvest timing was normal, beginning on February 2nd and continuing uninterrupted through February 27th. Noteworthy is the small berry size, on average twenty-five percent smaller by variety and largely under a gram per berry, adding to concentration.
▸ Sources (1)
Producer Information
Website
Address
Unit 7C, Distillery Road, Bosman's Crossing, Stellenbosch, 7600, South Africa
Phone
+27 (0)21 886 4083
Email
Owner
The Ratcliffe Family
Cellarmaster
Chris de Vries