Other recent vintages:  2019   2017   2015   2014  

Noble Hill strives to make wines that are fruitful, delicate, and balanced. They grow estate grapes organically and follow a minimal- intervention winemaking philosophy. The estate reserve reflects the knowledge, dedication and intuition of the entire enterprise.

  • South Africa    Coastal Region    Simonsberg
  • 53%
    Cabernet Sauvignon
      25%
    Merlot
      13%
    Cabernet Franc
      9%
    Petit Verdot
     
  • Alcohol
      13.0%
  • Certified sustainable
  • Natural wine
  • Oak
      18 months in 10% new French oak
  • Organic in conversion
  • Production
      118 x 225 liter barrels
  • Residual sugar
      2.4
  • Soil
      Granite and clay
  • Vegan
  • Vineyard aspect
      Northeast and northwest
  • Vineyard elevation
      170-350m
  • Award
      90 points, Wine Enthusiast (2019 vintage)
  • Award
      91 points, Andrew Caillard MW (2020 vintage)
  • Award
      91 points, Tim Atkin (2020 vintage)
  • Award
      94 points, 4.5 stars, Platter's South African Wine Guide (2020 vintage)

In the vines

Each component of the reserve carries different varietal characteristics and reflects slight soil differences between different vineyards on the estate. It is a true reflection of our granite soil and Mediterranean climate.

The wine

From hand-sorting at harvest, each component of this wine begins its fermentation in tank and completes it in 225l French oak barrels. Only the lowest press fractions are used for blending, resulting in a wine composed almost entirely of free-run juice. We work with four family-owned cooperages located near Cognac to produce barrels matched to our intended style.

When our family took over the cellar at Noble Hill, we were given keys to every door and gate, jumbled in a box. Sorting through these keys, we realized that some of them dated back to the farm’s past. Ever since, we’ve placed a key on each wine label. Each different key represents the characters of each unique grape variety that we grow. The 2020 Estate Reserve is labeled with four keys representing Cabernet Sauvignon (53%), Merlot (25%), Cabernet Franc (13%), and Petit Verdot (9%).

This wine elicits the aromas and tastes of fresh black currant, plum, and a touch of mint. Oak plays a well-integrated supporting role. This vintage can be enjoyed confidently from now through 2030.