Grangehurst Cabernet Sauvignon

Cabernet Sauvignon (93%) Merlot (7%)

VITICULTURE
The Cabernet Sauvignon grapes were harvested mid-February to mid-March from Sunset
Vineyard (greater Simonsberg). This trellised vineyard was planted in 2002 and does not receive
any irrigation i.e. a dry land vineyard. Low yield (6 tons per hectare) provided good concentration
and balance with sugar levels of between 23ºB and 26ºB. The Merlot grapes came from two
vineyards – one bush vine and one trellised – both in the Simonsberg appellation.

WINEMAKING
Grapes were harvested by hand into baskets (± 18 kg each) then destemmed, sorted manually,
crushed (± 50% whole berries) and pumped to open fermenters; manual punchdowns (pigeage) 4
to 6 times per day for the duration of fermentation; average of 10 days on the skins, then drawn
off and pressed using wooden basket presses; free-run and press wines blended and racked into
225 litre barrels and stainless steel tanks; malolactic fermentation in barrels and tanks; barrel to
barrel and barrel to tank rackings to clarify and blend the wine.

BARREL MATURATION
Matured in French oak barrels for 34 months.

BOTTLING
A selection of 21 barrels of Cabernet Sauvignon and 3 barrels of Cabernet Sauvignon-Merlot blend
were racked and blended into a stainless steel bottling tank; from there the wine flowed by gravity
via a cartridge filter into the filler. A limited release bottling of 398 magnums and 6,504 bottles
produced and labelled under the Grangehurst black and gold “reserve” label.

WINE ANALYSIS
Alcohol 14.6% vol (14.5% on label)
Residual Sugar 1.6 gram / litre
Total Acidity 6.0 gram / litre
pH 3.57

TASTING NOTES
(May 2021): Medium-dark plum colour; slightly sweet red berries, cassis, violets with mocha, cedar
complexity from barrel maturation. A full-bodied, elegant wine with the balance and structure to
last up to 20 years if cellared under favourable conditions.