The Cabernet Franc grapes are sourced from vines on the lower Helderberg on granitic soils. The vineyard is 2km from the coast. The maritime effect is most favourable, especially in the hot February-March months in Stellenbosch. Leaf removal in the bunch zone (during November/December) is an important practice in this vineyard to let enough sun in to prevent vegetal flavours.
The grapes were picked on 5 March 2019. They were sorted and crushed (no whole bunch). Spontaneous fermentation took place in open top fermenters with very soft handling during fermentation, only two punch downs per day. The wine was matured in 225L older French oak barrel, and was only racked once, in June after malolactic fermentation. The wine was sent thorough a rough filter before bottling in January 2019.
Pure and refined with notes of red fruit, graphite, tea leaf and fresh herbs. Wonderful freshness and verve, spicy intensity and fine tannins.
