Technical Specifications
Alcohol 14.5%
Residual Sugar 2.6 g/L
pH 3.56
Total Acidity 5.9 g/L
Calories (estimated) 120 kcal / glass
150ml glass120 kcal
750ml bottle600 kcal
Grape Varieties Cabernet Franc
Cabernet Franc100%
Drinking Window three years of bottle aging before being released
Region Western Cape
Soil Decomposed granite
Harvest Dates February 25, 2019 - March 4, 2019
Fermentation Vessels Wooden Fermenter
Natural Yeast Yes
Maceration 5 days
Oak Details 50% First Fill New Oak
First Fill New Oak50%
Oak Types French
Barrel Size 225L barriques
Unfiltered Yes
Extended Maceration Yes
Production Details The 2019 vintage in Franschhoek marked a significant turnaround from the tough conditions of previous years. After enduring three years of intense drought, the vineyards bounced back, resulting in a much higher yield compared to 2018. Although the fluctuating weather during the crucial flowering and fruit set in October caused some uneven ripening, the overall growing season was marked by moderate conditions that encouraged strong vine growth and lush canopies. The slightly cooler temperatures leading up to harvest allowed the grapes to develop beautifully, with a great balance of acidity and exceptional flavours. Our 2019 Cabernet Franc was made using only our vineyards in Franschhoek. We hand-pick each grape at its peak ripeness and carefully place them in small lug boxes. To maintain their quality, the grapes are transported to the cellar in refrigerated trucks. Once they arrive, the whole berries are carefully double-sorted, including a pass through an optical sorter, before being gently gravity-fed into wooden fermenters. The winemaking process is handled with the same care as the grape selection. We start with a cold soak for a few days to allow the flavours to deepen, then gradually bring the must up to temperature. Fermentation happens naturally without using any cultivated yeast. After fermentation, the wine remains on the skins for up to five days, allowing for extended maceration to extract additional depth and complexity. The wine is then aged in 50% new 225 litre French oak barriques for 24 months, where it develops its character and structure. After this, it is bottled without filtration to preserve the vineyard’s essence. To ensure it reaches its full potential, the wine undergoes an additional three years of bottle aging before being released. Only 20 barriques were produced for the 2019 vintage.
Tasting Notes
Nose: christmas pudding, spice, dried flowers
Palate: warm, smooth, richly fruited, dark chocolate, blueberries, liquorice, dried herbs, earthy depth, polished oak, silky tannin
▸ Sources (1)
Producer Information
Website
Phone
+27 (0)21 874 9004
Email
Owner
Johann Rupert