Beautiful, dark, almost inky black colour. Intense and complex nose with aromas of Cassis, blackcurrants, strawberries and cherries. Accompanied here by seductive scents of cigar boxes, forest floor, tobacco, musk and leather. Impressive and balanced mouthfeel. With its warm, ripe and smoky character, the style is slightly different from the classic original but many 'big' Bordeaux may take a serious punt on this.

Savoury classic preparations such as aged sirloin steak with accompanying sauce, Boeuf Bourguignon, game stews and flavourful creamy cheeses such as Brie and Camembert.

climate

Stellenbosch has a warm maritime climate with high rainfall in the winter period. Temperatures in this winter period are below 20 degrees Celsius. The summer months there are hot, dry and pleasant. With varying influence from the Atlantic Ocean and the Stellenbosch mountains.

soil

Variation of Hutton and Clovely subsoil (weathered granite) with generally quite a lot of clay. This helps to retain water.

vinification

Cabernet Sauvignon (54%), Cabernet Franc (29%) and Merlot (17%). The grapes are picked separately and by hand. Fermentation is also done separately in French oak barrels of 3rd and 4th fill where the wine continues to age for 12 months. Then the blend is realised and transferred to new French oak barrels (50%) and 2nd fill barrels (50%). After another 12 months, it is then bottled.