Stellenbosch producer Kleine Zalze underscored its place among the top echelons of South African Cabernet Sauvignon producers by winning the Investec Trophy for Best Cabernet Sauvignon at this year’s Trophy Wine Show with the Kleine Zalze Vineyard Selection Cabernet Sauvignon 2021.
Showcasing diversity in its top-quality wine offering, Kleine Zalze also secured a Trophy Wine Show gold medal for a Cap Classique sparkling wine, namely the Kleine Zalze Vintage Brut Chardonnay Pinot Noir 2017.
Some 645 wines were entered into the 2024 show, with 19 Trophies and 14 Gold medals awarded by the esteemed judging panel, including three international wine experts specially brought to South Africa for the event.
RJ Botha, Kleine Zalze’s cellarmaster, says winning the Investec Trophy for Best Cabernet Sauvignon at the Trophy Wine Show underscores Kleine Zalze’s embracing of Cabernet Sauvignon as its core red variety in a diverse portfolio.
“As an established Stellenbosch cellar, Cabernet Sauvignon has always been at the heart of Kleine Zalze’s red wine offering as this is the red grape calling-card for the region,” says Botha “With our trophy-winning Vineyard Selection 2021, Kleine Zalze is proud to be recognised as a leading Cabernet Sauvignon producer from Stellenbosch, which is gaining recognition as one of the foremost exponents of this variety globally.”
Kleine Zalze Vineyard Selection Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 was made from fruit grown on the Kleine Zalze property, complemented by parcels from various selected sites in Stellenbosch.
According to Botha, managing the extraction during fermentation is key in creating poise and balance in Cabernet Sauvignon.
“We used a combination of punch-downs and pump-overs at different stages in fermentation and tried to extract a lot of flavour and tannin at the beginning of the process,” he says. “As fermentation heads to a close, we drastically reduced the extraction and usually limit it to only one pump-over per day so as not to over extract and ensure we achieve the best balance. You want fruit to show, but good Cabernet also needs power and verve.”
Kleine Zalze Vineyard Selection Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 originated from a vintage characterised by cool spring conditions in the early growing season and late-ripening of fruit, resulting in the harvest commencing two weeks later than average. The wine was aged for 20 months in French oak barrels of which 40% were new wood, 30% second fill and the balance third fill before final blending.
Kleine Zalze’s Gold medal at this year’s Trophy Wine Show went to the Kleine Zalze Vintage Brut 2017, a blend of 60% Chardonnay and 40% Pinot Noir bottle-aged on the lees for 72 months.
“Being awarded for two such diverse wines, underscores Kleine Zalze’s versatility and diversity as a wine producer, two elements harnessed by an unrelenting commitment to quality,” says Botha. “While the local and international wine consumer remains our most primary audience, awards at major wine competitions are important in measuring yourself against your peers as well as exposing one to the critical lens of world class wine judges, such as at the Trophy Show.”
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