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The Critics:
Tim Atkin MW
95 points. Gottfried Mocke sources this Stellenbosch Cabernet Sauvignon from two growers - one on the Helderberg, the other in Stellenbosch Kloof - to produce what is always the denser than its companion Franschhoek bottling. Inky and grippy, with top notes of menthol, mocha and dried herbs, lots of energy and vibrancy and a core of plum, blueberry and cassis. 2025-35
93 points. Pretty nose of blackcurrants, sage, blackberry leaves and nutmeg. Firm and well-framed, with a full body and solid tannin structure. Excellent freshness, too. Drink or hold.
91 points. The 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Stellenbosch contains no Cabernet Franc. It is matured 60% in new French barriques for 22 months. This is more compact on the nose than the Franschhoek bottling with darker fruit, perhaps a little more Old World inspired. The palate is medium bodied with fine tannins, crips and focused. IT’s edgier than the Franschhoek cuvee, full of energy with a focused, graphite-infused finish lingering long in the mouth. Excellent.
Vineyard Info
Made from selected parcels of Stellenbosch Cabernet Sauvignon vineyards planted on north-west facing slopes of the Helderberg mountain and a south-east facing slope of Vlottenburg. These pockets of excellent Cabernet Sauvignon grow on a combination of deep decomposed granite soils with Table Mountain sandstone and "koffieklip". The mild maritime influence from the cool False Bay coast and granitic soils are evident in this wine's hallmark minerality and classic, graphite-like profile.
Vintage Info
A chilly and damp winter preceded the 2021 harvest, promoting favourable vine dormancy. The persistently cool, moist climate and reduced soil temperatures extended into spring, causing a delay in budbreak by up to two weeks. Subsequently, drier and moderate conditions prevailed during flowering and the rest of the growing season. This led to a gradual ripening process, contributing to outstanding colour and flavour maturation. The resultant wines exhibit complexity along with remarkable finesse and elegance.This particular vintage will be remembered for its small berries, characterized by a reduced juice-to-skin ratio, exceptional quality, and notably diminished yields.
Vinification
The 2021 vintage was vinified entirely at Boekenhoutskloof in tulip-shaped concrete tanks with élevage on our OXOline system. The vinification and élevage processes significantly impact the style, resulting in a more defined claret-like structure with dark fruits and graphite.
Grapes are hand-harvested and transported to our winery in Franschhoek where they cooled prior to vinification. Each harvest parcel is individually destemmed and crushed into tulip-shaped concrete tanks where they undergo a cold maceration period and spontaneous fermentation at temperatures between 27° and 30°. Frequent pump-overs and occasional délestage are performed to gently extract aromas, colour, and tannins. After alcoholic fermentation, a prolonged malolactic fermentation occurred naturally in 225-litre barriques. The wine was matured on our OXOline system for 22 months in 60% new light toast, long seasoned French oak from our preferred coopers, Sylvain and Saury.
