An utterly rich and opulent wine, boasting intense flavors of blackberry, cassis, and dark plum. Additional hints of spice and cocoa emerge from the French oak aging. On the palate, the wine has a smooth, velvety texture, firm tannins, and great depth of flavors. An abundance of blue and black fruits persists on the lengthy finish. This wine has the complexity and building blocks in place to facilitate further ageing and refinement, and with careful cellaring, it will reward those who prove patient enough.
Only the healthiest berries from hand-harvested grapes made it into the small, open-top fermenters where they were fermented on the skins. During fermentation, pump-overs were performed twice a day to extract the ripe, round tannins and the maximum amount of color pigmentation. The wine was aged for 24 months in new French oak barrels.
Winemaker: Martin Smith
Winemaker: Martin Smith
Atlas Swift Winery, though based in Franschhoek, sources grapes from five distinct Cape regions to craft a diverse portfolio that showcases South Africa's terroir. Founded by Martin and Welma Smith, their philosophy emphasizes minimal intervention, allowing the unique character of each vineyard to shine through in their wines. Known particularly for their Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon, they produce a range that reflects the individuality of Cederberg, Cape South Coast, Wellington, Robertson, and Franschhoek. Visitors to their Franschhoek tasting room can experience their terroir-driven approach through curated tastings.
