Technical Specifications
Alcohol 13.5%
Residual Sugar 2 g/L
pH 3.47
Total Acidity 5.6 g/L
Calories (estimated) 115 kcal / glass
150ml glass115 kcal
750ml bottle575 kcal
Grape Varieties Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc
Cabernet Sauvignon92%
Merlot5%
Cabernet Franc3%
Drinking Window immediately after release but will improve with cellaring for up to 15 years from harvest
Region Western Cape
Soil Glenrosa, Pinedene (slate origin), Medium potential clay loam tukulu soil, Decomposed granite
Elevation 200.0 meters
Orientation North-West, West Facing, South-West
Fermentation Vessels Wooden Upright Fermenters, Oak Barrel
Oak Aging 22 months
Oak Details 51% First Fill New Oak
First Fill New Oak51%
Barrel Size 225-liter French barriques
Bottling Date January 2020
Unfined Yes
Unfiltered Yes
Production Volume 1170 bottles
Bottles1170
Production Details 2018 was the last of the drought years in Stellenbosch and was extremely hot throughout the harvest. This resulted in an early harvest at lower alcohol potentials to preserve the fruit expression and acidity in the grape. The vineyards are specially selected according to their age and site from various parts of Stellenbosch, mostly unirrigated and all low yielding (4 to 6 t/ha). This gives a pure expression of its environment in the wine. The grapes are ripened to peak maturity (between 23 and 25 degrees brix) before being hand harvested and delivered to the cellar and placed into a cold store overnight at 4 degrees Celsius. The grapes were destemmed and crushed, with berry sorting, to small wooden upright fermenters. There is an initial cold maceration until the fermentation begins naturally. Post fermentation maceration is dependent on the ripeness of the fruit at picking and tannin development in the wine. The wine is then drained off and pressed in a vertical basket press. Malolactic fermentation takes place in barrel after which the wine is racked and returned to barrel for further maturation. Maturation takes place in small 225-liter French barriques of which 51% is new and lasts for 22 months with regular racking's. The wine received no fining or filtration before bottling.
Tasting Notes
Nose: intense black berry fruit such as dark bramble berries, blackcurrant and dark cherries underpinned by brooding notes of cedar and tobacco leaf.
Palate: intense berry notes mirroring the palate. The mid-palate is smooth and textured and leads to dry emery paper tannins. The oak is beautiful balanced supporting the fruit and grape tannins and adding a touch of vanilla sweetness to mid-palate. The wine lingers on the palate for almost an eternity.
Food Pairing grilled beef, melanzane parmigiana, tomato ragu
Critics Ratings Platter's Wine Guide 2022: 4 1/2 stars (93 points)
Platter's Wine Guide 20224 1/2 stars (93 points)
Tim Atkin's South Africa Report 202197 points
James Suckling Dec 202191 points
Winemag.co.za - Christian Eedes96 points
▸ Sources (1)
Producer Information
Website
Phone
+27 (0)82 413 4335
Email
Owner
Miles Mossop
Cellarmaster
Miles Mossop