2014 sets a record for Stark-Condé – having 2 five star
wines in one vintage. This vineyard has a long history of producing award
winning wines: 2 vintages have received the trophy for Cabernet Sauvignon and
the 2010 Three Pines Syrah was awarded the 2010 trophy for Best Shiraz in the
Old Mutual Trophy Show; a 3-time Platter 5-star for the Cabernet Sauvignon and a
first time for the Syrah this year.
Stark-Condé Three Pines is considered the flagship range
of the estate. The Three Pines Cabernet Sauvignon is produced from a tiny
24-year-old single-vineyard with a total production of only 3979 bottles. This
wine has the elegant Jonkershoek tannin structure with its finely textured
decomposed granite soils coupled with the unique Jonkershoek climate. A little
Merlot (5%) and Petit Verdot (5%) adds to the pure, finely textured mouthfeel
and makes this wine intensely pure and rich. After 22 months barrel maturation
of which 70% new French oak was used, the wine was bottled unfined and
unfiltered. José describes this wine as “having a lot of guts and succeeding in
balancing elegance with power”.
José believes the 2011 Three Pines Syrah to be the best
vintage yet. This wine has finally been recognised for the beautiful and
polished style of Syrah it truly is. From the estate’s highest elevation small
block contiguous to the Three Pines Cabernet vineyard, being the smallest
production on the farm, 3996 bottles were especially appreciated this year.
Hand-harvested grapes, hand-sorted, regular, vigorous manual punchdowns, 22
months barrel maturation of which 40% was new French oak. José describes this
wine as “an elegant, refined style. Exotic spice and aniseed aromas followed by
a mouthfeel similar to ‘the texture of crushed violets’.”
Stark-Condé, being an intensively family-run winery,
celebrates the success of the Three Pines vineyard with José, demonstrating how
hard work and natural talent pays off indisputably. Being a self-taught
winemaker, José is overwhelmed to receive 2 Platter 5 Star ratings in one
vintage for the first time.
Contact
Maia Vosloo: maia@stark-conde.co.za / info@stark-conde.co.za for
orders and enquiries.
Visit our website www.stark-conde.co.za for
our full range and to access our order form.