Delheim Wine Estate proudly celebrates four decades of its flagship Grand Reserve Bordeaux-style blend with the release of the acclaimed 2021 vintage, widely regarded as one of the finest red wine years in recent Cape history.
Crafted by winemaker Roelof Lotriet, the 2021 Grand Reserve is a blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Cabernet Franc, 10% Merlot, and 5% Petit Verdot. The vintage benefited from mild weather and cool Simonsberg foothill breezes, which allowed for even ripening and the development of concentrated fruit flavours.
“The conditions in 2021 were near-perfect,” says Lotriet. "Slow ripening under moderate summer temperatures helped shape a wine with great structure, elegance, and balance – a true reflection of Simonsberg terroir."
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Grapes are sourced from Delheim’s Vera Cruz vineyards, planted between 220m and 280m above sea level on decomposed granite soils. Each varietal is vinified separately using traditional methods before aging in 300L French oak barrels. The wine is further matured in bottle for 18 months before release.
The Grand Reserve was first introduced in 1981 under the guidance of Spatz Sperling, who sent winemaker Kevin Arnold to California in the late 1970s to study small oak barrel use. Originally made solely from Cabernet Sauvignon, the wine transitioned to a Bordeaux-style blend in 1984, wit Cabernet Sauvignon remaining its core.
True to its legacy, the Grand Reserve is only produced in years when the fruit meets the estate’s exacting standards – a hallmark of Delheim’s enduring pursuit of excellence.
Click HERE to buy the 2021 Grand Reserve online or email info@delheim.com for more information.