The 2019 vintage will be remembered as one that followed the most severe drought in South Africa during 2018. In the second half of 2 018, supporting rainfall ensured good soil moisture with cool and moderate ripening and harvesting conditions for 60% of the intake of the 2019 vintage. The 2019 crop was medium sized, resulting in some excellent wines.

  • South Africa    Cape Town
  • 61%
    Cabernet Sauvignon
      31%
    Petit Verdot
      6%
    Cabernet Franc
      2%
    Merlot
     
  • Alcohol
      14.0%
  • Oak
      18 months in 225L French Oak barrels
  • Residual sugar
      2.8

The Cabernet vineyards are situated in the Firgrove area, about 6 km from False Bay. The grapes are selected from specific sites focusing on lower yields, the age of the vines, and the soil types. The average berry weight of the selected vines is less than a gram, making them extremely small and concentrated. The Merlot, Cab Franc and Petit Verdot are from De Grendel and thrive in Cape coffee stone and light topsoil with deep broken laterite

VINIFICATION Cabernet Sauvignon 61%, Petit Verdot 31%, Cabernet Franc 6%, Merlot 2%. A portion of the wine was made using the aerated pump over method in a closed tank with extended skin contact. The rest was made using the punch down method where a pneumatic punch down system was used four times a day and night. This punch down method ensures a much more concentrated extraction. The two portions were pressed separately and only blended before being transferred into new French Oak barrels where malolactic fermentation took place. The wine was matured in these barrels for a further 18 months.