Cabernet Sauvignon Franschhoek 2021

Located in the heart of the Franschhoek Valley, at the foot of the Cape Mountains, the Boekenhoutskloof vineyard benefits from a Mediterranean climate tempered by cool breezes from the Atlantic Ocean. The Cabernet Sauvignon plots are planted on well-drained alluvial and decomposed granite soils, which promote slow and steady ripening of the grapes. The grape varieties, parcel selection, and vine management aim to precisely express the character of this emblematic South African terroir.

The grapes for this Cabernet Sauvignon are harvested at full maturity, carefully sorted, then destemmed before fermentation in stainless steel tanks with temperature control and gentle extractions to preserve the fruit and structure. The wine is then aged extensively in oak barrels, mostly French, to refine the tannins, add aromatic complexity, and harmoniously integrate the oak, before bottling at the estate.

This wine reveals notes of blackcurrant, blackberry, and black plum, enhanced by floral touches of violet and wild herbs, as well as spicy nuances of pepper and clove. Barrel aging brings woody accents of cedar, blond tobacco, and dark chocolate. On the palate, the texture is ample and structured, supported by firm yet polished tannins, a fresh acidity, and a long, savory 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.