KWV Cabernet Sauvignon 2023

This full-bodied wine has a deep ruby red color with aromas of dark fruits such as plums and cherries with hints of cigar box combined with subtle oak spices. The wine is well-balanced with a weighted palate, respecting the fruit and oak, creating a long lingering finish.

The run up to vintage was characterised by a good “typical” Cape winter with loads of cold unit accumulation and good rains over days that really did much to replenish the subsoil water tables and flush built up salts after the years of drought. The winter ran a little long and delayed budbreak too. Budbreak was even, if a little late and cool. Spring remained cool and saw numerous rainfall events that added disease pressure as well as compressing canopy work schedules like shoot thinning, wire lifting and leaf breaking. Cool summer conditions continued into January when vintage began later than usual. Vintage characterised by alternating hot and cool conditions with small rainfall events throughout. A season where picking decisions and ph management in the winery were important.

Soil in the Western Cape comprises ancient (350 million to 500 million years old) weathered soils of alluvial and volcanic origin. The alluvial soils are from both glacial and marine deposits. Some of the origins of the weathered soils are Table Mountain Sandstone, Granite and Malmesbury Shale. These have eroded over millennia and are now generally clay rich loam soils, which are most desirable for their ability to retain water for plant during summer months.

The 2019 season showed great promise with improved winter rains. However, variable weather conditions, with continuous temperature fluctuations, resulted in inconsistent bud break, uneven flowering and set. Followed by slow and uneven ripening. Reds were most affected and overall yields were down. White varieties, except for the lower yields on Sauvignon Blanc, were as expected. The challenges are not without rewards: whites are bright and flavourful with good aromatics. Reds have soft tannins with rich fruit and generosity

The grapes were harvested at optimal ripeness. After arriving at the cellar it was destemmed and crushed into stainless steel fermentation tanks where alcoholic fermentation took place. After fermentation is was racked onto a combination of French and American staves/chips and left on the oak for 8-10 months maturation. The wine was then blended, filtered and bottled.

Components of the wine were oak matured for eight to ten months.

Enjoy this wine on its own or serve with grilled meats, casserole dishes or barbeques.