CWG Reserve 2015

Single Terroir Frans K. Smit Auction Selection Blend

34% Cabernet Franc, 33% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Merlot (All Stellenbosch)

WINEMAKER
Frans Smit

ORIGIN
Helderberg, Stellenbosch

PEAK DRINKING
10 years after harvest

WINE ANALYSIS
Alc: 15.39 % vol TA: 6.1 g/l RS: 3.4 g/l pH: 3.60

‘2015 was a great vintage. The mild season allowed the fruit to mature for longer and develop excellent flavour concentration and well-balanced, velvety tannins. Hailing from the Stellenbosch Helderberg, 600 bottles were produced from this site - by far the best South African terroir for this style of red blend. Matured for 3 years before release, this wine has the makings of a long-distance runner.’ - Frans K Smit, Cellar Master, Spier

EAT & DRINK
This blend is good with matured beef ribeye steak or game fillet like Eland. Season and barbeque on a hot fire, then cut into medallions and add a splash of olive oil.

SOIL & TERROIR
FKS: 'The benign west- and northwest-facing slopes of the Helderberg is the place where all the vines were grown, and all within a 10km radius. Decomposed granite soils retain water well, allowing for slow ripening and heightened mineral complexity. The area benefits from the cooling effect of the nearby Atlantic. The season was also beautifully mild. So the fruit matured without any necessity to pick in a hurry, developing excellent flavor concentration and velvety tannins.’

MATURATION
‘Malolactic fermentation took place in the small French oak barrels, followed by an extended period of maturation. Around 24 months after picking, I made selections from these already well-rounded blends. They were then returned to the barrel for a further 6-8 months, before the final barrel selection – the big moment when we get to pick the best of the bunch.’

COLOUR
A royal berry red with ruby red on the rim.

NOSE & PALATE
A discernable blackcurrant and dark fruit presence on the palate, with the barest traces of cigar box. You can almost taste the tannins in this blend. They’re firm and assertive, but also rounded, sweet, soft and very amiable.