Product Description
Simonsberg, Stellenbosch
Varieties
100% Cabernet Sauvignon
The Vineyard
AGE OF VINES 28 years on average
IRRIGATION Dry land vineyards and supplemental
SOIL TYPE Decomposed Granite, Hutton and Clovelly
YIELD 4 tons per hectare
The Harvest
The preceding winter was the 3rd dry one in a row, with less rain than the previous one and warmer day and night temperatures. A warm spring resulted in early budding. Regular rain showers during flowering and berry set, with a high presence of pests. The picking season was very dry with limited water for irrigation, but with cooler nigh-time temperatures during February.
The Cellar
Fermentation took place in open top concrete fermenters at 290C. The cap is punched down by hand, every 2 hours during fermentation. The juice was drawn off the skins after 5 days. After malolactic fermentation the wine was matured for 24 months in 50% new and 50% second fill 225L French Nevers oak barrels.
WINEMAKER Abrie Beeslaar
PRODUCTION VOLUME 12 000 cases (6 x 750ml)
ALC 14.94%
RS 2.7 g/l
TA 6.3 g/l
pH 3.47
FREE SO2 32 mg/l
TOTAL SO2 97 mg/l
VA 0.51 g/l
Aging Potential
10 to 15 years from vintage
Awards
2017 Christian Eedes – 97 points
Oz Clarke – 95 points
2016 Greg Sherwood MW – 94+ points
Tim Atkin MW – 93 points
Neal Martin – 91 points
Platter’s Guide – 5*
Drink’s International 2020 Most Admired Wine
Brand in Africa & the Middle East
2015 Greg Sherwood MW – 97 points
Christian Eedes – 96 points
Tim Atkin MW – 94 points
Neal Martin – 92 points
Wine Advocate – 91 points
Jancis Robinson: 16.5+/20 points
Platter’s Guide – 5*
2014 Tim Atkin MW – 94 points
Christian Eedes – 91 points
Wine Advocate – 90 points
Platter’s Guide – 4.5*
2013 Tim Atkin MW – 94 points
James Suckling – 92 points
Wine Advocate – 91 points
Christian Eedes: 90 points
Jancis Robinson: 16/20 points
Platter’s Guide – 4.5*
2012 Tim Atkin MW – 93 points
Wine Advocate – 92 points
Wine Spectator – 90 points
IWSC – Gold Outstanding
Platter’s Guide – 4.5*
2011 Tim Atkin MW – 93 points
Stephen Tanzer – 92 points
Wine Spectator – 91 points
Veritas – Gold
Platter’s Guide – 4.5*
2010 Tim Atkin MW – 94 points
Wine Enthusiast – 92 points
Stephen Tanzer – 90+ points
IWSC – Gold Outstanding
Veritas – Gold
Platter’s Guide – 4*
2009 Stephen Tanzer – 91+ points
Wine Spectator – 91 points
Wine Advocate – 90 points
Wine & Spirits – 90 points
Platter’s Guide – 4*
2008 Wine Enthusiast – 90 points
Wine Spectator – 90 points
IWSC – Gold (Best in Class)
Platter’s Guide – 4.5*
2007 Wine & Spirits – 92 points
Stephen Tanzer – 92 points
Wine Advocate – 90 points
Platter’s Guide – 5*
2006 IWSC – Gold
Platter’s Guide – 4.5*
2005 Decanter – 93 points
IWSC – Gold (Best in Class)
2004 Wine Advocate – 90 points
IWSC – Gold
Platter’s Guide – 5* & Wine of the Year 2009
2003 John Platter Guide – 5*
2001 John Platter Guide – 4*
2000 John Platter Guide – 4*
