Technical Specifications
Alcohol 14.0%
Residual Sugar 2.9 g/L
pH 3.57
Total Acidity 5.1 g/L
Calories (estimated) 120 kcal / glass
150ml glass120 kcal
750ml bottle600 kcal
Grape Varieties Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Petit Verdot
Cabernet Sauvignon90%
Cabernet Franc5%
Merlot2.5%
Petit Verdot2.5%
Drinking Window immediately after release but will improve with cellaring for up to 15 years from harvest
Region Western Cape
Soil Oakleaf of granitic origin, Oakleaf/tukulu of granitic origin, Medium potential clay loam tukulu soil, Decomposed granite, Glenrosa from a granitic origin with coffee stone gravel
Elevation 200.0 meters
Orientation West
Vineyard Yield 30 hL/ha
Brix at Harvest 23.0°
Fermentation Vessels Small Wooden Upright Fermenters
Oak Details 45% First Fill New Oak
First Fill New Oak45%
Barrel Size 225-liter French barriques
Bottling Date December 2020
Unfined Yes
Unfiltered Yes
Production Details 2019 was the first vintage following the drought after a very cold and wet 2018 winter we went into a relatively cool and wet spring which continued into the summer and harvest period. This resulted in minimal stress throughout the growing and ripening season. The harvest was moderate in size and exceptional in quality. 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 bunch sorted, destemmed, berry sorted and then partially crushed 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 45% is new and the balance 2nd and 3rd fill barrels. Total maturation is for 22 months with regular racking's. The wine received no fining or filtration before bottling.
Tasting Notes
Nose: plush & luxurious with notes of black cherries, crème de cassis, cedar & tobacco leaf
Palate: rich and textured with intense berry fruit on entry followed by a full mid-palate of briary fruit, a creamy texture leading to tannins which are firm but velvety on the finish. The oak is beautifully balanced supporting the fruit and grape tannins, adding a touch of vanilla sweetness to the mid-palate. The wine lingers on the palate for almost an eternity.
Food Pairing grilled beef, melanzane parmigiana, tomato ragu
Critics Ratings Tim Atkin's South Africa Report 2022: 96 points
Tim Atkin's South Africa Report 202296 points
Jancis Robinson 202317/20
James Suckling 202291 pts
Vinous 2022 - Neal Martin93 pts
Wine Advocate - Anthony Mueller July 202392+ pts
▸ Sources (1)
Producer Information
Website
Phone
+27 (0)82 413 4335
Email
Owner
Miles Mossop
Cellarmaster
Miles Mossop