Technical Specifications
Alcohol 14.0%
Residual Sugar 2 g/L
Total Acidity 6 g/L
Calories (estimated) 115 kcal / glass
150ml glass115 kcal
750ml bottle575 kcal
Grape Varieties Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, Malbec, Petite Sirah, Cabernet Franc
Cabernet Sauvignon85%
Petit Verdot10%
Malbec2%
Petite Sirah2%
Cabernet Franc1%
Region Stellenbosch
Soil Decomposed granite iron-rich red soils
Elevation 200.0 meters
Orientation South East And North West
Harvest Dates late February, early March, mid-March
Brix at Harvest 24.0°
Vine Age Cabernet 17-29 years; Petit Verdot 15 years; Malbec 12 years; Petite Sirah 12 years; Cabernet Franc 18 years
Natural Yeast Yes
Maceration 10 days
Oak Aging 20 months
Oak Details 30% First Fill New Oak
First Fill New Oak30%
Oak Types French
Barrel Size 300l
Unfined Yes
Unfiltered Yes
Production Details The grapes for this wine are from 4 different Cabernet vineyards and our best Malbec, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot vineyards, all at a range of different elevations. Although all are on the decomposed granite soils typical of the hillsides in Jonkershoek, the soil textures vary quite a lot and that, together with the differences in elevations and clones, gives a variety of different flavour profiles to the grapes. The Cabernet Franc grapes were picked in late February, the Malbec early March, and the Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot and Petite Sirah grapes were harvested in mid-March. After being cold-soaked for a couple of days the juice underwent fermentation with the natural yeasts for about 10 days on the skins. The fermentations were hand punched-down every 4 hours for the first half of fermentation and every 6-8 hours until dry. At dryness, the wine was pressed and racked to barrel for malo-lactic fermentation and barrel maturation. Only 300l French oak was used, of which about 30% were new. Bottled with no fining and without filtration after 20 months barrel maturation. 2018 was the fourth consecutive year of serious drought in the Cape winelands. Yet, we didn't have any drastic heat spikes during the harvest period and the vines showed little stress despite the severe dry conditions. The overall fruit quality was excellent, with very small berries producing great concentration of flavours.
Tasting Notes
blackberry fruit, tea-leaf, cedar, dark fruit, mocha