Product Description
Simonsberg, Stellenbosch
Varieties
70% Cabernet Sauvignon
15% Cabernet Franc
15% Merlot
The Vineyard
AGE OF VINES 30 years on average
IRRIGATION Dry land vineyards and supplemental
SOIL TYPE Decomposed Granite, Hutton and Clovelly
YIELD 4 tons per hectare
The Harvest
Winter rainfall was higher than the previous two winters. Irregular temperatures from winter until the flowering period, together with cool growing conditions, led to great variations in the vineyards. The cool weather and regular rain showers led to less water stress for the vines during ripening.
Harvest time was characterised by regular rain showers.
The Cellar
Fermented in open top concrete fermenters at 290C. The floating skins were 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 100% new 225L French Nevers oak barrels.
ALC 13.91%
RS 2.4 g/l
TA 6.2 g/l
pH 3.55
FREE SO2 28 mg/l
TOTAL SO2 90 mg/l
VA 0.63 g/l
WINEMAKER Abrie Beeslaar
PRODUCTION VOLUME 7000 cases (6 x 750ml)
Aging Potential
20 to 25 years from vintage
Awards
2018 Greg Sherwood MW – 97 points
Christian Eedes – 92 points
2017 Tim Atkin MW – 98 points
Greg Sherwood MW: 98 points
Christian Eedes – 95 points
Neal Martin – 94 points
Jancis Robinson: 17.5/20 points
Platter’s Guide – 5*
Drink’s International 2020 Most Admired Wine
Brand in Africa & the Middle East
2016 Neal Martin – 96 points
Tim Atkin MW – 96 points
Greg Sherwood MW – 95+ points
Wine Enthusiast – 92 points
Christian Eedes – 92 points
Platter’s Guide – 5*
2015 Tim Atkin MW – 100 points
Greg Sherwood MW – 98+ points
Neal Martin – 95 points
Wine Enthusiast – 94 points
Christian Eedes: 94 points
Wine Advocate – 93+ points
Jancis Robinson: 17.5+/20 points
Platter’s Guide – 5*
2014 Tim Atkin MW – 96 points
Christian Eedes: 95 points
Neal Martin – 93 points
Platter’s Guide – 5*
2013 Wine Advocate – 93 points
Wine Advocate – 92 points
Wine Spectator – 92 points
Christian Eedes – 89 points
Platter’s Guide – 4.5*
2012 Tim Atkin MW – 96 points
Stephen Tanzer – 92+ points
Neal Martin – 90 points
Christian Eedes: 88 points
IWSC – Gold
Platter’s Guide – 4.5*
2011 Tim Atkin MW – 95 points
Stephen Tanzer – 93 points
Neal Martin – 92 points
Wine Spectator – 92 points
Platter’s Guide – 4.5*
2010 Tim Atkin MW – 95 points
Wine Advocate – 92 points
Stephen Tanzer – 91+ points
IWSC – Gold
Platter’s Guide – 4.5*
2009 Wine Spectator – 92 points
Wine Advocate – 92 points
Wine & Spirits – 90 points
Jancis Robinson: 17/20 points
IWSC – Gold
IWSC – Pichon Longueville Trophy for Best
Blended Red Wine
Platter’s Guide – 4*
2008 Wine Spectator – 92 points
Stephen Tanzer – 91+ points
Wine Advocate – 90 points
Platter’s Guide – 4.5*
2007 Stephen Tanzer – 92+ points
Wine Enthusiast – 91 points
IWSC – Gold (Best in Class)
Platter’s Guide – 4.5*
2006 Platter’s Guide – 5*
2005 IWSC – Gold (Best in Class)
IWSC – Gold
Platter’s Guide – 4.5*
2004 Calyon Trophy – Best Bordeaux Blend
Decanter – S.A. Red Bordeaux Varietals Trophy
Veritas – Double Gold
Platter’s Guide – 4.5*
2003 Wine Advocate – 92 points
Jancis Robinson: 16.5/20 points
Classic Wine Trophy – Awarded
La Revue du vin de France Trophy – Awarded
IWSC – Gold
IWSC – Pichon Longueville Trophy for Best
Blended Red Wine
Veritas – Double Gold
John Platter Guide – 4.5*
2002 Decanter – 5*
John Platter Guide – 4.5*
2001 John Platter Guide – 4.5*
2000 Veritas – Double Gold
John Platter Guide – 4.5*
