Optima

Fillet with Mustard and brandy sauce.

Winter delivered strong cold units and above-average rainfall, which replenished groundwater and set the vineyards up well for the season. The cool conditions carried into spring, leading to even bud break and balanced early growth across most regions. The growing season stayed moderate with fewer heat spikes than usual. This slowed ripening and extended hang time, allowing grapes to build layered flavour and retain natural acidity. Canopies stayed healthy, with low disease pressure due to the dry and steady weather pattern. Our Bordeaux varieties benefited from the longer ripening period, reaching full phenolic maturity with deep colour and fine tannin structure. The 2022 vintage delivered great quality in Franschhoek & Darling, with wines that show clarity, balance, and good aging potential.

Each component was matured separately in 225L French oak barriques for 20 months, with 30% of the barriques being new oak. After this, it is blended and bottled. To ensure ultimate harmony and balance, the wine undergoes an additional two years of bottle aging before release.

Grapes are hand-picked from select vineyards specifically earmarked for the Optima and placed in small lug boxes then transported to the cellar in a refrigerated truck. The whole berries are double-sorted in the cellar using an optical sorting machine to ensure that only the best quality grapes are used. The must was fermented in a combination of large Nico Velo concrete tanks and stainless-steel. Post-fermentation, the wine is left on the skins for an extended maceration of up to five days, extracting further depth and complexity. This results in a deep colour and a good tannin structure.

Anthonij Rupert Wyne is a Franschhoek-based producer with a portfolio that spans some of South Africa's most recognised wine brands, including L'Ormarins and Cape of Good Hope. The range showcases a variety of regions, styles and vineyard sites, from everyday favourites to collector-worthy releases.