Eikendal Vineyards, a prominent Stellenbosch cellar renowned for high quality wines, has released the 2010 vintage of its flagship red – Classique – a Bordeaux-style, oak-matured blend which captures the estate’s understated elegance.
With its predecessor, Eikendal Classique 2009, streaking ahead of its competition with double trophy glory at the Old Mutual Trophy Awards 2012, winning the Old Mutual Trophy for the Best Red Wine as well as the Riedel Trophy for the Best Bordeaux-style Red Blend, expectations are high for this newcomer.
“Our Classique typifies what Eikendal is all about. It is a classy, honest red wine with great staying power and no stone was left unturned in creating our latest vintage. We have managed to capture the ‘less quantity, more quality’ spirit of the 2010 harvest. Smaller yields have made the 2010 harvest particularly challenging and we knew it would be hard to beat the exceptional 2009 vintage, but now that the proof is in the bottle we can say that the quality is equal or even better than last year,” shares winemaker Nico Grobler.
Charmingly reserved, the Eikendal Classique 2010 – a melange of Cabernet Sauvignon (52%), Merlot (30%) and a classic touch of
Cabernet Franc (18%) – captures a delicious potpourri of multi-layered berry flavours indicating a blend in perfect harmony.
“Although it whispers soft nuances rather than shouts, this wine speaks for itself. It has all the full fruit flavours of a classical Bordeaux-style blend, but everything is held in check, well-mannered, pure and elegant. It is not your typical, wood chewing robust red,” adds Nico.
Eikendal maximises its perfect location on the foothills of the Helderberg and its proximity to False Bay to produce great wines. The red varieties in particular, benefit from the cool maritime conditions which allow slower optimal ripening of the grapes.
“Our vines flourish in such a unique and striking setting, framed by the Helderberg Mountains in the background, False Bay fanning from the side, and Table Mountain in the distance. The 2010 Classique is a true reflection of our favourable terroir, intensely expressed with a firm structure just like the Helderberg Mountain, whilst tempered with elegance and finesse, as only the cooling ocean breezes can provide” explains Nico.
In the cellar, the grapes were carefully hand-sorted, followed by slow fermentation and regular, soft pump-overs for optimal colour and flavour extraction. The three individual components spent 18 months in oak barrels (80% new oak) before they were blended together. The spicy vanilla oak wood influence seeps through adding complexity to this Bordeaux blend which culminates with a velvet finish, while fine, silky tannins provide great potential for further ageing.
The Eikendal Classique 2010 is a stellar choice with red meat such as medium rare fillet medallions or springbok carpaccio with beetroot. Vegetarians can enjoy it with wild mushroom risotto or smoked aubergine and mozzarella stacks. Or serve this with a rich chocolate and berry tart to end your meal on a decadent high.
The wine is available at R165 per bottle, directly from the cellar or at selected fine wine outlets and restaurants countrywide.
For more information or wine orders contact Eikendal at 021 855 1422 or email: orders@eikendal.co.za.