Maestro Red

Serve with a rich Oxtail stew.

2016 was a very early season with early flowering dates followed by rapid ripening in the early part of the summer. Weather conditions during the ripening period of the Chenin Blanc were very warm, necessitating selective harvest, and early picking of certain parcels in order to attain an overall juice quality with a higher natural acidity.

Maturation was for a total of 18 months in French oak, in a selection of 300 litre casks and 3000 litre Foudres. The wine was bottled with minimal fining and a minimal filtration.

Fruit was carefully hand sorted and naturally fermented, whole berry. Post fermentation maceration was allowed for two weeks, followed by gentle pressing.

A hidden garden vineyard deep in the Stellenbosch Kloof, with sweeping views across False Bay to Cape Town, lies DeMorgenzon - a name derived from Dutch origin for “the morning sun.” From its hilltop manor, this prestigious and graceful family estate is home to Wendy and Hylton Appelbaum. Classical music drifts through the garden vineyards. The earth has music for those who listen. Viticulturally, DeMorgenzon has predominantly south-facing slopes create a cooler microclimate in an otherwise warm region. This allows for the production of finely poised, ethereal Chenin Blanc and Chardonnay, as well as sophisticated, highly aromatic Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon. In keeping with their vinous philosophy, the estate is farmed regeneratively, fostering biodiversity and soil vitality to create a balanced, living ecosystem in the vineyards.