2019 Technical Specifications
Alcohol 14.0%
Residual Sugar 2.1 g/L
pH 3.44
Total Acidity 5.9 g/L
Calories (estimated) 115 kcal / glass
150ml glass115 kcal
750ml bottle575 kcal
Grape Varieties Shiraz, Grenache, Carignan
Shiraz85%
Grenache10%
Carignan5%
Region Western Cape
Soil Shale, Clay, Malmesbury shale
Orientation Western, Southern
Harvest Dates February 18-27, 2019
Fermentation Vessels Oak Barrel, Cement Tank
Production Details The 2019 South African vintage hit a record low due to the preceding drought. Despite the smaller crop, good quality wines can be expected from this vintage. There was a late start to winter and a drier than normal post-harvest period. Spring was characterized by big weather fluctuations, which resulted in less and lower bunches, and smaller berries. With smaller berries, a good concentration of flavour and a balance between acidity and sugar can be found. All of this contributing to the expected quality of 2019 vintage. Grapes were harvested from blocks planted on the farm's western-facing slope. All grapes were hand-picked in the early morning and transported to the cellar. After all of the grapes had passed through the optic sorting machine, the various components were handled and fermented separately in different fermentation vessels. The ageing took place in a combination of 4th and 5th fill barrels and Nico Vello cement tanks. Using different vessels ensures that each block's unique characteristics are captured and emphasised. Because no two vintages are alike, blends and cultivar percentages will differ from year to year.
Tasting Notes
Nose: plum, raspberry, spice, floral
Palate: raspberry, plum, dry herb, fynbos, licorice, oak
2018 Technical Specifications
Alcohol 14.0%
Residual Sugar 2.4 g/L
pH 3.5
Total Acidity 3.4 g/L
Calories (estimated) 115 kcal / glass
150ml glass115 kcal
750ml bottle575 kcal
Grape Varieties Shiraz, Grenache, Carignan
Shiraz64%
Grenache29%
Carignan7%
Region Western Cape
Soil Shale
Harvest Dates February 15-28, 2018
Fermentation Vessels Cement Tank, Stainless Steel Tank
Oak Aging 16 months
Oak Details 100% Second Fill Oak
Second Fill Oak100%
Third Fill Oak100%
Oak Types French
Production Details This wine was produced from grapes from the Riebeeksrivier farm in the Swartland, situated on the slopes of the Kasteelberg Mountains on the Malmesbury side. The best red cultivar vineyards are found on the Southern and Western slopes of these mountains. This wine is made exclusively from the vineyards situated on the Western slopes. Yield was 8 ton/ha. Grapes were harvested from blocks planted on the Western-facing slopes of the farm. All grapes were handpicked and transported to the cellar in the early morning. The grapes were sorted by an optic sorting machine and fermented in a combination of Nico Velo cement tanks and stainless steel tanks. Using different fermentation vessels ensures that each block’s unique characteristics are captured and emphasized. Blends and cultivar percentages will differ each year, seeing that no vintage is ever the same. Ageing was done in 4th and 5th fill French oak barrels for 16 to 18 months, before being bottled and released.
Tasting Notes
Nose: blueberry, plum compote, spiciness
Palate: plum, blueberry, spiciness, licorice
Critics Ratings Tim Atkin MW: 92
Tim Atkin MW92
2017 Technical Specifications
Alcohol 14.0%
Residual Sugar 1.9 g/L
pH 3.5
Total Acidity 5.1 g/L
Calories (estimated) 115 kcal / glass
150ml glass115 kcal
750ml bottle575 kcal
Grape Varieties Shiraz, Grenache, Carignan
Shiraz60%
Grenache35%
Carignan5%
Region Western Cape
Soil Shale
Harvest Dates 07/02/2017-07/03/2017
Fermentation Vessels Oak Barrel, Cement Tank
Production Details With 2017 being the second consecutive dry and hot year, the harvest was slightly higher than expected. Cooler nights during the growing season and the absence of heatwaves during harvest season helped to buffer the effect of the drought to some extent. With dry weather conditions, the vineyards were healthier presenting smaller berries with good colour and a deeper concentration. Grapes were harvested from blocks planted on the Western-facing slopes of the farm. All grapes were handpicked in lug boxes and transported to the cellar in cool trucks. After hand sorting, the different components were handled and fermented separately in various fermentation vessels. Ageing was done in a combination of 4th and 5th fill barrels and Nico Vello cement tanks. Using different vessels ensures that each block's unique characteristics are captured and emphasized. Blends and cultivar percentages will differ each year, seeing that no vintage is ever the same.
Tasting Notes
dried lavender, violet, fynbos, spice, black cherry, plum, blueberry, spicy, succulent, fine tannin, dry tannin, earthy
2016 Technical Specifications
Alcohol 14.0%
Residual Sugar 2.4 g/L
pH 3.5
Total Acidity 3.4 g/L
Calories (estimated) 115 kcal / glass
150ml glass115 kcal
750ml bottle575 kcal
Grape Varieties Shiraz, Grenache
Shiraz91%
Grenache9%
Region Western Cape
Soil Shale
Harvest Dates 03/02/2016-10/03/2016
Production Details Grapes were handpicked in small lug boxes and transported to the cellar in cool trucks. After hand sorting, all components were handled and fermented separately. Fermentation was done in various vessels. The wine was aged in a combination of 4th and 5th fill barrels for 16 to 18 months. The blend and percentages will change with each vintage, seeing that no vintage is ever the same.
Tasting Notes
Nose: violet, plum, blueberry, fynbos
Palate: plump berry notes, earthy, herbal, succulent, refreshing, good acidity, restrained, understated, firm dry tannin, lithe, pliable, long spicy tail
2015 Technical Specifications
Alcohol 14.0%
Residual Sugar 1.7 g/L
pH 3.6
Total Acidity 5.1 g/L
Calories (estimated) 115 kcal / glass
150ml glass115 kcal
750ml bottle575 kcal
Grape Varieties Shiraz, Durif, Grenache, Carignan
Shiraz83%
Durif7%
Grenache6%
Carignan4%
Region Western Cape
Soil Decomposed shale, Schist
Harvest Dates February 19 - March 5, 2015
Fermentation Vessels Various Vessels
Oak Aging 16 months
Oak Types French
Used Oak Only Yes
Production Details Grapes were hand sorted to ensure only the best quality berry will be used. All components of the final blend were handled and fermented separately. Fermentation was done in various vessels to ensure that the unique characteristics of each block would be emphasized and captured, to be used as a component in the blend. The wine was aged in 4th and 5th fill French oak barrels for 16 to 18 months. These older barrels ensure that this vineyard's wonderful fruit flavors are preserved with low intervention from oak. With each vintage, the blend, or cultivar percentages is slightly different, ensuring consistency of style irrespective of the vintage.
Tasting Notes
Nose: violets, walnut, salty liquorice, white pepper
Palate: minerality, red fruit, bright raspberries, French oak
2014 Technical Specifications
Grape Varieties Shiraz, Grenache, Carignan
Shiraz
Grenache
Carignan
Region Western Cape
Soil Shale
Harvest Dates 20/02/2014-04/03/2014
Barrel Size 225L
Production Details This wine is made from grapes from our Riebeeks Rivier farm in the Swartland. This farm is situated on the slopes of the Riebeek Kasteel Mountains on the Malmesbury side with our vineyards on southern and western slopes. This wine is from the western slopes where there is more shale in the soil. The combination of slope and soil culminates into this feminine and layered wine with lots of vibrancy and red fruit style red blend. This wine is a blend which consists mostly of Shiraz, and other varietals from this slope includes Grenache and Carignan. These vineyards produce a small bunch with concentrated flavours and delicate, yet firm structure. These grapes are hand-sorted and fermented. They are barrel aged in 2nd and 3rd fill 225L barrels for 12 – 14 months then bottle aged for 3 years.
Tasting Notes
plum, white pepper, red fruits, black fruits, spice, cedar
2013 Technical Specifications
Grape Varieties Shiraz, Grenache, Carignan
Shiraz
Grenache
Carignan
Region Western Cape
Soil Shale
Harvest Dates February 22, 2013 - March 05, 2013
Barrel Size 225L
Production Details This wine is made from grapes from our Riebeeks Rivier farm in the Swartland. This farm is situated on the slopes of the Riebeek kasteel mountains on the Malmesbury side with our vineyards on Southern and Western slopes. This wine is from the Western slopes where there is more Schale in the soil. The combination of slope and soil, culminates into this feminine and layered wine with lots of vibrancy and red fruit style red blend. This wine is a Blend which consists mostly out of Shiraz, and other varietals from this slope includes Grenache and Carrignan. These vineyards produce a small bunch with concentrated flavours and delicate, yet firm structure. These grapes are hand-sorted and fermented, they are barrel aged in 2nd and 3rd fill 225L barrels for 12-14 months. Then bottle aged for 3 years.
Tasting Notes
spicy fruitcake, black cherry, blackcurrant, cedar, richly ripe black fruits, cigarbox, spice notes, inky depth, silky tannins, plush opulence
Producer Information
Website
Phone
+27 (0)21 874 9004
Email
Owner
Johann Rupert