The wines of Stellenbosch Reserve pay homage to the iconic buildings of Stellenbosch town. These landmarks represent the legacy of the town, in the same way that the wines represent classic varietal expressions of the Stellenbosch terroir. Through a combination of wine, architecture and heritage we can tell a story that is uniquely Stellenbosch. The Ou Hoofgebou (“The Old Main Building”) was built to house the Stellenbosch College, which later became Stellenbosch University. Now home to the Faculty of Law, the Ou Hoofgebou is a stately landmark in the campus landscape. Considered the King of red varieties, the Cabernet Sauvignon matches the Ou Hoofgebou in bearing with its regal flavours and powerful tannins.

Vintage:

The 2019 vintage was challenging, with moderate temperatures resulting in a later harvest. Cooler days and nights resulted in slow sugar accumulation while phenolics kept developing. Grapes are selected from various sites located in the Stellenbosch region, with each site contributing different characteristics to create complexity in the wine.

Winemaker’s Notes:

Fermentation took place in open-top stainless-steel fermenters. Punch-downs and pump-overs were performed 4 times daily to ensure balanced extraction of colour and tannins. After fermentation, the wine was macerated on the skins for 14 days. Malolactic Fermentation was followed by further aging in French oak for 12 months, using only seasoned oak.

Tasting Notes:

Expressive dark fruit on the nose, showing ripe aromas of cassis, black cherry and Christmas cake, with savoury notes of toast and sandalwood. The bold fruit creates a juicy and textured feel in the mouth, with an elegant raspberry freshness. Balance is provided by savoury notes of cigar box. A classic example of Stellenbosch Cabernet.

Best Enjoyed: Beef, lamb and poultry