Catharina is bold yet suave, forthright yet subtle, assured and alluring. It displays intense and inviting aromas of blackberry and plum, cassis and lavender blossom, vanilla stick and dark chocolate. Layers of concentrated red and black fruit (raspberry, blackcurrant, and black cherry) show on both the nose and the palate, accented with a full, supple texture from the Cabernet Sauvignon component. Light herbal notes from the Merlot lend a refreshing finish, while the Malbec rounds out the blend, adding structure and depth.
Dark fruit and spice, lifting acidity, and an encompassing tannic finish create the optimal pairing for most red meat (particularly a garlic and rosemary stuffed roast lamb shoulder) or rich saucy dishes. Will bottle age well for 7 to 10 years after bottling.
Ratings/Accolades:
(2020) Tim Atkin: 89 points
(2020) Decanter: 87 points
Dark fruit and spice, lifting acidity, and an encompassing tannic finish create the optimal pairing for most red meat (particularly a garlic and rosemary stuffed roast lamb shoulder) or rich saucy dishes. Will bottle age well for 7 to 10 years after bottling.
Ratings/Accolades:
(2020) Tim Atkin: 89 points
(2020) Decanter: 87 points
The winery's flagship red wine, Steenberg Catharina, is blended from only the best barrels from each vintage. All blend components (51% Merlot, 36% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Malbec) received the same vinification prior to blending. On average the grapes were harvested at a sugar level of 24-25°B. First crushed de-stemmed, 15% juice drawn off, cold soaked for 3 days, fermented on skins for 2 weeks with the temperature maxed at 28 degrees and gentle pump-overs occurred twice per day.
The wines then underwent malolactic conversion in barrels after which they were racked and returned to barrels for 26 months. 90% 1st fill, 10% 2nd fill 225l French oak barrels. After this maturation period, the wines were racked out of the barrel, blended, given a light fining and filtration, and bottled in October 2021.
Winemaker: Elunda Basson
The wines then underwent malolactic conversion in barrels after which they were racked and returned to barrels for 26 months. 90% 1st fill, 10% 2nd fill 225l French oak barrels. After this maturation period, the wines were racked out of the barrel, blended, given a light fining and filtration, and bottled in October 2021.
Winemaker: Elunda Basson
Steenberg holds the distinction of being the oldest farm in the picturesque Constantia Valley, which is generally considered to be South Africa’s premier wine growing region. With its cool, sea-facing slopes and majestic granite ridges, this vineyard has developed a worldwide reputation for producing excellent Cape wines.
The estate boasts a state of the art modern winery, producing some of the country’s finest award-winning wines.
The estate boasts a state of the art modern winery, producing some of the country’s finest award-winning wines.
