Product Description
Varieties
Cabernet Sauvignon : 51%
Petit Verdot : 39%
Merlot : 9%
Cabernet Franc : 1%
The Vineyard
The intense dry heat of the summer months certainly kept the viticulturists on their toes as they nursed the vineyards towards ripening.
This resulted in a 30% reduction of crop size at De Grendel. However, although volumes were down,
the dryness facilitated surprising benefits in the bunches that were perfectly formed and disease free.
Our proximity to the cold Atlantic, excellent foliage management, and the Tygerberg itself shielded
the grapes from sunburn. The resilience of the vines astounds, as they have borne fine fruit – smaller
and more concentrated, promising excellent quality and depth of fruit in the wines.
The Cabernet vineyards are situated in the Firgrove area, about 6 km from False Bay. The grapes
are selected from specific sites focusing on lower yields, the age of the vines, and the soil types. The average berry weight of the selected vines is less than a gram, making them extremely small and concentrated. The Merlot, Cab Franc and Petit Verdot are from De Grendel and thrive in Cape coffee stone and light topsoil with deep broken laterite.
The Cellar
The blend consists of 51% Cabernet Sauvignon, 39% Petit Verdot, 9% Merlot and 1% Cabernet Franc. A portion of the wine was made using the aerated pump over method in a closed tank with extended skin contact. The rest was made using the punch down method where a pneumatic punch down system was used four times a day and night. This punch down method ensures a much more concentrated extraction. The two
portions were pressed separately and only blended before being transferred into new French Oak
barrels where malolactic fermentation took place. The wine was matured in these barrels for a further
18 months.
Residual Sugar: 2,5 g/l
pH: 3,58
Total Acidity: 6,1 g/l
Alcohol: 14,5%
Aging Potential
This flagship will richly reward aging for 10 – 12 years by becoming increasingly velvety, and as the tannins soften and integrate, the fruit may become slightly richer but the luscious elegance and nuances of spice will be retained.
Awards
2016
Winemag Cape Bordeaux Red Blend Report 2020 Top 10
2015
China Wine & Spirits Awards 2018 Double Gold
China Wine & Spirits Awards 2018 South African Wine of the Year
James Suckling 2018 91 Points
Michelangelo International Wine Awards 2019 Gold
Mundus Vini Germany 2019 Gold
Sakura Japan Women’s Wine Awards 2019 Gold
South African Wine Index 2018 Platinum
The Sommeliers Selection 2018 – Voluptuous/Rich Red
Tim Atkin SA Report 2019 92 Points
Veritas Awards 2018 Gold
Veritas Awards 2019 Gold
2014
International Wine & Spirits Competition 2016 Gold
Korea Wine Challenge 2017 Gold
2013
International Wine & Spirits Competition 2015 Gold
Michelangelo International Wine Awards 2015 Platinum
Michelangelo International Wine Awards 2017 Trophy
Mundus Vini Germany 2016 Gold
The Sommeliers Selection 2016 – Voluptuous/Rich Red
2012
The Sommeliers Selection 2015 – Voluptuous/Rich Red
2011
China Wine & Spirits Awards Gold
Vitis Vinifera Awards 2014 Double Gold
2010
Mundus Vini Germany 2013 Gold
2008
Platter’s 4 Stars
2007
Platter’s 4 Stars
Veritas Double Gold
Winemakers Choice Awards 2012 Diamond Award
2006
Platter’s 4 Stars
