Kadette Cape Blend 2022

Located on the slopes of Simonsberg, in the heart of the Stellenbosch region of South Africa, the Kanonkop estate benefits from a Mediterranean climate tempered by ocean breezes from the Atlantic. The vines of Kadette Cape Blend are primarily sourced from bush vines rooted in soils of decomposed granite and ferruginous clay, providing natural drainage and good water retention. This mosaic of terroirs gives the wine its structured character, beautiful aromatic concentration, and a true expression of the Cape wine landscape.

The grapes are harvested by hand, then destemmed and crushed before fermentation in open vats with regular pump-overs to optimize extraction. Malolactic fermentation takes place in vats, and the wine is then aged in second- and third-use French oak barrels for approximately twelve months to refine the tannins and preserve the fruity and spicy character typical of the blend. Careful racking precedes bottling, which is carried out without excessive filtration to retain structure and aromatic complexity.

This wine reveals notes of ripe red fruit , black plum , and blackcurrant , complemented by subtle floral touches, spicy nuances of pepper and clove, and integrated oak with hints of vanilla and cedar . The palate is full-bodied, with supple yet present tannins , supported by a fresh acidity that balances the richness of the fruit, and leads to a persistent, slightly toasty , and flavorful finish.

The first grape vines were planted in South Africa by Dutch settlers in the 1650s, although wine production did not really take off until the arrival of French Protestants in the 1680s with their skills and knowledge of viticulture. Stellenbosch is also a historic wine region, with the first vineyards being planted there in the 1690s. Today, South Africa is one of the most important wine producing countries in the Southern Hemisphere. With over 300 years of winemaking history, it is often described as a bridge between the Old and New Worlds. The majority of wines are produced using New World winemaking techniques, but they often share more in common stylistically with their Old World counterparts. Since the end of apartheid, South African wine has received international attention and acclaim for its wide variety of styles. South Africa's wine industry is spread across the lush and rugged landscape of the Western Cape. Here, the abundance of mountains, valleys and plateaus allows winemakers to produce a wide variety of styles. Vineyards are also found in the Orange River region of the Northern Cape, where the flat, arid landscape is dominated by the Kalahari Desert. Most of South Africa's wine regions have a Mediterranean climate, heavily influenced by the meeting of the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. The country's signature grape variety is Pinotage, an indigenous cross of Pinot Noir and Cinsault that is rarely found in quantity in other wine-producing countries. Shiraz (Syrah) is also widely planted, as are Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot (often combined in a Bordeaux blend). South African Chardonnay, Chenin and Sauvignon Blanc have become popular internationally in recent years.