'Ou Hoofgebou' Cabernet Sauvignon, 2023

Youthful aromas of blackcurrant, red and black cherries, dark chocolate, and a touch of tobacco and cedar. A powerful entry reveals ripe blackcurrant, juicy black plums, and mulberry, balanced by a firm tannic edge. Layers of roasted herbs, graphite, and a subtle hint of green peppercorn add depth and complexity. A refined expression of a classic Stellenbosch Cabernet.

 

A dry winter season with well below average rainfall. Cold units were made up for in later winter and early spring. Slightly earlier budding, but good, even budding and flowering with an average yield. December brought a lot of rain, lowering temperatures and replenishing water reserves. Hot weather in early January encouraged ripening, becoming more moderate with cool nights to retain acidity. A good vintage for white varieties, with a lot of rain during the month of March making it a challenging vintage for reds.

Fermentation took place in open-top stainless-steel fermenters. Punch-downs and pump-overs were performed 4 times daily to ensure balanced extraction of color and tannins. After fermentation, the wine was macerated on the skins for 14 days. Malolactic Fermentation was followed by further aging in French oak for 12 months, using only seasoned oak.

Winemaker: Jean Engelbrecht

 

First conceived in 2005, the wine evolved from a single Bordeaux-style blend, to a range that reflects the Stellenbosch viticultural landscape. The Stellenbosch Reserve now encompasses seven wines, red and white, focusing on the classic Stellenbosch varieties of Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, Cinsault, Merlot, Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon. The wines, like the place, capture that beautiful balance between accessibility and seriousness.