Neethlingshof Cabernet Sauvignon 2021
Type: Red
Country: South Africa
Region: Stellenbosch
Grape Variety: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Climate: The locality of Neethlingshof enables cool sea breezes from both the Indian and Atlantic oceans to penetrate the vineyards and cool down the grapes during hot summer days
Terroir: The west-facing vineyards grow in decomposed granite and Table Mountain sandstone soils on the Estate, at an altitude of around 224m above sea level. The vines are grafted onto nematode-resistant rootstock Richter 110 and trellised on a six-wire vertical fence system
Winemaking: The grapes were harvested by hand at 25° Balling during March. After de-stalking and crushing, the mash was fermented using a selected, pure yeast culture. After malolactic fermentation, the wine was matured for a period of 16 months in 90% French oak and 10% American oak barrels with 45% of the wine matured in second and third-fill barrels
Color: Deep red
Nose: Bouquet of ripe dark cherry and blackberry followed by a subtle oak spice
Palate: Rich, full, dry red wine with a good tannin structure. Abundant flavours of blackberries, cherries and plums complemented by vanilla and spice with a beautiful, slightly chalky finish
About the Winery:
In the heart of the Cape wine region, you will find Neethlingshof Estate, one of the oldest wine estates in South Africa. Wines have been produced here since 1692. Originally founded by a German immigrant named Willem Barend Lubbe, it now produces high-quality wines from the Western Cape. Since 2003, they have also been pursuing an active biodiversity strategy to limit the monoculture of wine.
The estate grows many different grape varieties, including well-known ones such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Chardonnay or Chenin Blanc, but also the Pinotage, Gewürztraminer or Riesling typical of South Africa.
With their south and southwest exposure, the plants soak up plenty of sun during the day, while being cooled by cold sea air at night. The growth process is thus rather slow, which gives the grapes a ripe aroma.
