Alto Rouge history
The first vintage of this iconic wine was crafted in 1922 and, after maturation to market-ready condition, was exported for sale to the United Kingdom. The wine was blended and sold in barrel to Burgoyne’s, a well-known London Merchant and was also awarded with the top prize at the 1924 Cape Wine Show in the “Red Wines, Burgundy Type” category where Alto held this title for 6 consecutive years.
The success in the British market led to the wine being released in South Africa in 1933 and has been a South African classic ever since.
Over the years that followed and under the stewardship of only 5 legendary winemakers, the Alto Rouge has been adapted from the first vintage as the winemakers sought to constantly improve the wine’s quality reflecting our terroir as well as use new developments in viticulture practices.
The maiden 1922 vintage was a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cinsault and Shiraz where as today the 2022 vintage is made up of Majority Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz and Cabernet Franc.
The 2022 vintage
2022 was an excellent vintage for red wine in Stellenbosch’s, Helderberg region where Alto is situated. We had a mild summer and cooler conditions during harvest which allowed for extended ripening periods and longer hang time on the vines, this resulted in grapes exuding intense flavour concentration, deep colour and a beautiful balance.
Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz and Cabernet Franc are our three main varieties on our estate and have always dominated the most recent vintages of Alto Rouge. The 2022 vintage is a blend of 44% Cabernet Sauvignon, 42% Shiraz, 12% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot.
This iconic vintage shows rich plum, fynbos and hints of charcuterie on the nose. The palate is complex with crushed blackberry, dry fig and nuances of graphite. The tannins are plush and structured which ensure that this wine will age beautifully over the next 5 to 8 years.
Alto Rouge has truly stood the test of time and will always be an integral part of Cape Wine history and a popular choice among red wine lovers worldwide.
Our centennial vintage is now available via our
online shop and in our tasting room. Visit our
website to add a piece of our history to your wine collection!