Lanzerac Cabernet Sauvignon 2013 Tasting Notes

The Vintage: The uneven years are normally the better ones in the Stellenbosch area. A good harvest season with the usual heat wave or two, but overall good, even ripening of grapes. There is a good balance between fruit, complexity and structure in the red wines of this vintage.

Appellation: Jonkershoek Valley, Stellenbosch.

Viticulture: Three different vineyard blocks, D1, D2 and J15 from Lanzerac in the Jonkershoek Valley were used for the Lanzerac Cabernet Sauvignon 2013. Blocks D1 and D2 were 20 years old in 2013 and consisted of 7.44 hectares in total. Block J15 was 9 years old in 2013. The yield for the 2013 vintage was 5.72 tons/ha. The 3 blocks are situated at an altitude of 100-336m above sea level with mainly deep red decomposed granite soils. All pruning and harvesting was done by hand to ensure that only healthy and fully ripe grapes reach the cellar.

Harvest Date: Late February to middle of March.

Vinification: Upon arrival at the cellar the grape bunches are hand sorted before destemmed; the loose berries undergo a further hand sorting before it is lightly crushed. Fermentation takes place in stainless steel tanks with regular pump-overs to extract colour and flavour. After fermenting dry the wine is left on the skins for 2-3 weeks before it is drained off and the skins pressed. The wine undergoes MLF in barrels. A selection of new, 2nd fill and 3rd fill French oak barrels are used to mature the Cabernet Sauvignon for at least 18 months. Regular rackings result in excellent integration between wood, fruit and tannins.

Cellar Master's Comments: A classic Cabernet showing plenty of fruity drinkability right now with the tantalizing promise of savoury, lip-smacking maturity to come. Black fruits abound with black cherries, currants and berries coming to the fore, all edged with hints of olive tapenade, dark chocolate and sundried tomato notes. Soft, supple tannins and freshening acidity add to the concentrated fruit, the whole suggesting there is plenty more excitement on the way.

Cellaring Potential: Drink now or mature 5 – 8 years.

Food Suggestions: Enjoy the wine with a succulent steak or tangy hard cheeses such as mature Gruyère or Cheddar.