Cabernet Sauvignon is a balanced, even-growing vine with compact berries and high resistance to stress. This hardiness gives us space to induce stress at specific points of the growing cycle using leaf- and stem- water potential irrigation, a method whereby we regularly measure the vines’ water stress levels and irrigation is applied only if needed in order to produce an optimal water stress profile during ripening. This method saves water and results in wines with concentrated flavours.
A cold winter in 2012 gave the vines an ample dormancy period before fruiting. Relatively fast ripening during the late summer contributed to the wine’s richness and fresh fruit aromas.
Our estate Cabernet Sauvignon grapes rarely lack colour or structure, making a light touch the cornerstone of our cellar practices. We aim for a light extraction by gently transferring the juice over the skins twice daily during the fermentation. This wine is matured in 225l French oak barrels for 18 months.
South Africa may be defined as a New World wine producer but this can be a bit of a misnomer: our vineyards are planted in some of the world’s oldest soils. The decomposed granite soils that define our vineyards give this wine an earthy, cool and distinctively Old World character. We taste black fruit, cedar, and a hint of spice. This wine should age elegantly and show increased refinement through at least 2022.
