The grapes for the wine are from the Paarl Wine Appellation, dry land farmed on the yellow to red coloured Tukulu and Clovelly soils. The grapes come from low yielding vineyards, with loose bunches and small berries.
The grapes were hand harvested and each block was individually vinified. The grapes were then crushed and taken to open top fermenters, where they underwent a three-day cold soak with a punch down once a day. Regular mixing during fermentation allowed for gentle colour, aroma and tannin extraction. Once fermented dry, the wine was taken to a mix of new, second and third fill French oak barrels. Here, malolactic fermentation took place and the wine was matured for 30 months before the components were blended by Winemaker Samuel Viljoen and Cellarmaster Andrea Freeborough.
Pour
From a Bordeaux shaped bottle, with an elegant label. The bottle is packed in a beautiful bespoke box that looks something like Indiana Jones would take into the jungle as a gift for a worthy. In the glass, it is a deep plum red at the core which pales out to ruby at the edges. The nose is all about dark fruit, black cherries, blue berries, crème de Cassis and fresh pencil sharpenings. From entry the wine is full, complex and richly flavoured. It fills the mid palate and the components are all beautifully interwoven in the long and gently waning aftertaste.
Pair
A wine of this majestic stature is just fabulous with a well cooked meal. A roasted tranche of meat with real gravy and crispy roast potatoes is its perfect partner. For your Christmas Table, Dianne Bibby’s Walnut & Sage stuffed Roast Turkey Crown would be a great match with this wine. Click here for her recipe.
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