Returning to this wine years after bottling has proven what a great vintage 2017 was for reds in Constantia. On appearance, this wine is ruby red with a typically clear yet bright hue. The bouquet displays primary notes of fresh strawberry coulis, dried cranberry along with some truffle, leather and red cherry.
The wine displays the natural tart acidity and grippy tannins of Nebbiolo on the palate, although with a well-rounded and fuller mouth-feel than can sometimes be the case with this varietal. Flavors of sour cherry, raspberry and tobacco leaf linger to give the wine brilliant length and persistence.
The wine shows beautiful fruit and floral characters in youth, but will develop well over the next 7 to 10 years and will greatly reward those who resist it’s youthful charm
The wine displays the natural tart acidity and grippy tannins of Nebbiolo on the palate, although with a well-rounded and fuller mouth-feel than can sometimes be the case with this varietal. Flavors of sour cherry, raspberry and tobacco leaf linger to give the wine brilliant length and persistence.
The wine shows beautiful fruit and floral characters in youth, but will develop well over the next 7 to 10 years and will greatly reward those who resist it’s youthful charm
The grapes were harvested at a sugar level of 24°B and then crushed into stainless steel fermentation tanks where they fermented at 27°C for approximately 15 days. The juice was inoculated with a yeast strain selected for the development of the natural characters in the Nebbiolo grape. Two pump-overs were done per day to extract color and tannin.
The wine underwent malolactic fermentation in barrel and thereafter matured in 500L barrels with 20% first fill, 10% second fill, 20% third fill, 25% fourth fill and 25% fifth fill French oak barrels for 16 months. Bottled in October 2018.
Winemaker: JD Pretorius
The wine underwent malolactic fermentation in barrel and thereafter matured in 500L barrels with 20% first fill, 10% second fill, 20% third fill, 25% fourth fill and 25% fifth fill French oak barrels for 16 months. Bottled in October 2018.
Winemaker: JD Pretorius
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.
