Intense flavors of black cherry, savory nuttiness, beef dripping, dark chocolate, and alluring aromas of ripe strawberry, with nuances of blueberry backed by a subtle hint of forest floor and the faintest whiff of white truffle. Full-bodied, with intense, refined, supple tannins and a long finish. A broad flavor profile with mocha, anise, and nutmeg playing off each other. A highly complex, multi-layered wine with very fine tannins and wonderful acidity.

The third vintage of this unique co-fermented wine is only possible due to the rare occurrence of Merlot and Syrah ripening at the same time on the Holden Manz farm in Franschhoek. The individual varietals were hand-picked on March 27, 2018, by our cellarmaster and then hand-sorted, allowing only the most optimally ripe berries to be used for this wine. Three brand-new 225-liter French oak barrels with medium toast were filled with a mix of Merlot and Syrah berries. The barrels were rolled regularly until spontaneous fermentation occurred. Cuvaison took place over approximately 50 days, and the wine was matured for 23 months in new French oak barrels. Production is strictly limited.

Winemaker: Thierry Haberer

Named after owners Gerard Holden and Migo Mans, this Franschhoek property was originally developed into a wine farm in 1999. Located in the southernmost corner of the Franschhoek Valley, embraced by its spectacular mountains, the 22-hectare Holden Manz Wine Estate is nestled between the Franschhoek River and Stony Brook at 300 meters above sea level. Today, it is a lifestyle destination, featuring a five-star guest house and spa, a restaurant, picnics by the Franschhoek River, and an art collection housed in the town.

As an exclusive grower of red grapes, the estate cultivates only its top 16 hectares under vineyards, focusing on Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Syrah, and Merlot, resulting in the production of ultra-premium wines crafted for the discerning wine connoisseur.

Flavor Profiles

Black cherry

Dark chocolate

Mocha

Nutmeg