2021 Stellenbosch Cabernet Sauvignon

Full bottle 1,356 g. From selected parcels planted on north-west facing slopes of the Helderberg Mountain and a south-east facing slope of Vlottenburg. These pockets grow on a combination of deep, decomposed granite soils with Table Mountain sandstone and koffieklip. Mild maritime influence from the cool False Bay coast and granitic soils. Each harvest parcel is individually destemmed and crushed into tulip-shaped concrete tanks where they undergo a cold maceration period and spontaneous fermentation at temperatures between 27 °C and 30° C. Frequent pumpovers and occasional délestage. After alcoholic fermentation, a prolonged malolactic conversion occurred naturally in 225-litre barriques. The wine was matured on their OXOline system for 22 months in 60% new light-toast, long-seasoned French oak from Sylvain and Saury. Very dark crimson. Richer and darker than the Franschhoek Cabernet but also with a stony quality to it, more mineral with a touch of lead pencil. Open and fragrant. Pure, intense cassis fruit but not sweet-fruited, dark and utterly refined in flavour and smooth texture. Compact and very fine tannins, caressing. A powerful and refined wine that carries its alcohol well to a long, plush and attractively dry finish. A pure, elegant and harmonious beauty that has a long future but is delicious now if you want to focus on the fruit. (JH)

Gottfried Mocke sources this Stellenbosch Cabernet Sauvignon from two growers - one on the Helderberg, the other in Stellenbosch Kloof - to produce what is always the denser than its companion Franschhoek bottling. Inky and grippy, with top notes of menthol, mocha and dried herbs, lots of energy and vibrancy and a core of plum, blueberry and cassis. 2025-35+

The 2021Cabernet Sauvignon Stellenbosch contains no Cabernet Franc. It is matured 60% in new French barriques for 22 months. This is more compact on the nose than the Franschhoek bottling with darker fruit, perhaps a little more Old World inspired. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins, crisp and focused. It’s edgier than the Franschhoek cuvée, full of energy with a focused, graphite-infused finish lingering long in the mouth. Excellent.