ABOUT
Bordeaux, Napa Valley, Margaret River, Stellenbosch… the case has been made for all four to exist in the same space when talking about great Bordeaux varieties and world-class wines. Lauren Buzzeo of Wine Enthusiast said this about Stellenbosch Cabernet, ‘Think New World fruit meets Old World structure—the best of both.’ Boschkloof’s vineyard, being located in the well-draining granitic soils of the Polkadraai Hills, is perfectly situated for textbook, classy, Bordeaux blends. Nearby ocean waters, which are cold enough to necessitate a wetsuit in all seasons, cool overhead winds, and as they sweep onto land, the first protruding geological feature that they hit are the Polkadraai Hills. Sun-drenched vines thus receive a steady blast of afternoon air conditioning, which growers cite as the key for retaining critical acidity.

The grapes were handpicked and fermented separately with both inoculated and native ferments. Pumpovers occurred twice per day to get gentle extraction of color, tannins and flavor. After 12 days on skins, the lots were pressed off to used French barriques where they aged for 12 months, with a racking and small sulfur addition around the 10 month mark. Post-élevage, the barrels were selected for the final blend and racked to tank where it was bottled with a gentle sheet filtration and a dose of sulfur dioxide, but without fining.

DATA
Grapes: 74% Cabernet Sauvignon – 26% Merlot
Vineyard: Boschkloof Estate
Vine Age: 28-years-old
Soil Type: Decomposed granite over ironstone
Viticulture: Practicing organic
Fermentation: Native & inoculated with house-cultured yeasts – stainless-steel tank
Skin Contact: 12 days
Aging: 12 months in seasoned 225L French barrique (20% second-year)
Alcohol: 14%
pH: 3.5
Total Acidity: 5 g/L
Total SO2: 100 ppm
Total Production: 1,667 cases
UPC: 6008409000038

TASTING NOTE
A full-bodied, oak matured red wine with intense deep ruby black colour. Ripe plum, red fruits and complex perfumed oak bouquet. A concentrated middle palate with long after-taste of blackberries and undertones of spice. This wine has, as always, impressive complexity and ageability for a wine at this price!