Stellenbosch Cabernet Sauvignon 2021

From the best terroirs of Stellenbosch, this Boekenhoutskloof Cabernet Sauvignon comes from carefully selected plots on exposed hillsides, benefiting from a maritime climate tempered by breezes from False Bay. The soils are mainly composed of decomposed granite and shale, offering natural drainage and good water retention, conducive to slow and regular ripening of the berries. This mosaic of micro-plots allows for a precise expression of the grape variety, combining concentration, freshness, and elegance, emblematic of this Cape winemaking region.

The Cabernet Sauvignon grapes are hand-harvested, carefully sorted, then destemmed before cold maceration and fermentation in stainless steel tanks, with regular pump-overs to extract color and tannins. Malolactic fermentation takes place in French oak barrels. The wine is then aged for a long time in French oak barrels, mostly new and second-fill, to refine the tannic structure, develop aromatic complexity, and provide a silky texture without masking the character of the Stellenbosch terroir.

This wine reveals notes of ripe blackcurrant, blackberry, and black plum, enhanced by touches of violet and dried herbs, as well as spicy nuances of black pepper and clove, supported by an elegant woodiness of cedar, blond tobacco, and dark chocolate. The palate is full-bodied and structured, with firm but polished tannins, a fresh acidity that lengthens the framework, and a persistent, flavorful, and slightly smoky 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.