Bilton's flagship Sir Percy 2006 dons a visionary's hat

Wednesday, 19 October, 2011
Bilton Wine Estate
Bilton Wines, situated on the golden slopes of the Helderberg renowned as one of South Africa's finest red wine producing areas, has unleashed the third vintage of its full-blooded flagship, Sir Percy.
Made in honour of the Bilton patriarch, Percy Bilton, the 2006 vintage is a bold, Cabernet Sauvignon-driven blend. This signature wine has been named The Visionary, as a tribute to the wisdom and great foresight of the late grandfather of current owner, Mark Bilton, who in addition to his affinity for business, was known for his thinking and planning for the future.

A man of many facets, Percy Bilton was an entrepreneur, a father, a property tycoon, an explorer and a generous benefactor. His life story is depicted with each new vintage featuring a different hat on the back label to describe the many rich and diverse sides to his character.

Crafted with meticulous attention to detail in a classic French style by winemaker Rudi de Wet, the 2006 vintage is a rich blend of great complexity and tangible masculinity comprising 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Merlot and 17% Petit Verdot.

In true Rudi style, every grape is carefully hand chosen on sorting tables for this wine with the free-run juice and press juice vinified separately to add complexity to the final blend. The wine was matured for 22 months in French, American and Hungarian 300 litre oak barrels before being bottled.

“Beautifully balanced tannins with great complexity and a long, spicy finish,” is how winemaker Rudi de Wet describes this luxurious wine with its masculine aromas of leather, black olives and pencil shavings enlivened with delightful scents of violets.

Rudi enjoys drinking Sir Percy on its own or with a well-matured beef fillet.

Built to last, Sir Percy 2006 The Visionary is a true collector’s item. It is available at R170 per bottle at the Bilton cellar door or online at www.biltonwines.com. You can also find it at chosen boutique wine shops and fine dining establishments.

Bilton Wines is open daily for wine tastings and country-style lunches off Annandale Road, Lynedoch, between Somerset West and Stellenbosch. For further information call Tel: (021) 881 3714 or visit the website www.biltonwines.com.