Hogan ‘Mirror for the Sun’ Cabernet Franc 2020
Wine of Origin: Stellenbosch
A label with another musical reference, this time from the Red Hot Chili Peppers. It refers to the leaf-plucking Jocelyn employs in the vineyard so the grapes can soak up the sun in an attempt get rid of any aggressive pyrazine character (greenness).
Technical analysis
pH: 3.41
TA: 5.6 g/l
RS: 2.3 g/l
Alc: 14.5%
The Cabernet Franc grapes are sourced from 11-year-old, trellised vines from 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 12 February 2020. 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 barrels, and was only racked once, in June after malolactic fermentation. The wine was sent thorough a rough filter before bottling in January 2021.
Awards/Ratings
Tim Atkin South Africa 2020 Special report: September 2021: 93/100
Platter’s Guide 2022: 94 points (4.5 stars)
