21 Gables Cabernet Sauvignon 2015

WINEMAKER: Johan Jordaan

ORIGIN: Stellenbosch

TERROIR / SOIL: Decomposed granite soils on the slopes of the Helderberg mountains.

VINEYARD AND CLIMATE CONDITIONS:

The vines are grown on the west-northwesterly-facing slope of the majestic Helderberg mountain, on the southern side of Stellenbosch. Slow ripening of the 12-year-old vines’ fruit is a result of them being a mere 7km from the False Bay coast and 300m above sea level. The granitic soil features clay in the subsoil which aids in moisture retention. This results in small berries concentrated in flavour and tannin. The foliage is manicured to withstand the onslaught of the cool southeasterly wind during ripening and to enable the bunches to develop colour and flavour evenly during the cool, slow cycle of ripening.

WINEMAKING:

The grapes were handpicked and hand-sorted to ensure only the best coloured and sized fruit were selected. Fermentation occurred in a combination of stainless steel and open-top oak fermenters for an extended period of 36 days and barrelled down to 100% new French oak barrels for 26 months. Barrel selection was done to make the perfect blend of the original single vineyard site.

ANALYSIS:

Alc	14.55 % vol	TA	5.9 g/L
RS	2.9 g/L	pH	3.69

APPEARANCE: Dark ruby red with a vibrant, youthful rim.

TASTING NOTE:

An abundance of cassis and black cherry with concentrated oak aromas of toast and pencil lead. A full-bodied wine with a concentrated structure and opulent finish.

SERVE WITH: Chargrilled sirloin or rib-eye steak. Alternatively, serve with a rich almond and aubergine or lamb shank stew.

Download 2016