Big Easy Cabernet Sauvignon

Classic steak wine.

The 2023 growing season was marked by a warmer winter and fewer cold units, but steady Atlantic winds and light spring showers helped regulate summer temperatures. This led to healthy canopy growth, even development, and balanced ripening across all varieties. Harvest began on 16 February with Merlot and concluded with our later-ripening Cabernet Sauvignon, which benefited from extended hang time. Despite late-season rain and predictions of a smaller crop, the Helderberg produced exceptional fruit with remarkable colour, structure and finesse. The Cabernet Sauvignon vineyards grow on the warm north-facing slopes of the Helderberg region within the Stellenbosch appellation. The soils contain a high gravel content which offers rich middle palate weight giving this wine exceptional depth and fruit purity. With an altitude of approximately 250 metres above sea level together with the cooling influence of the Atlantic Ocean just 15 kilometres away, this extends the ripening period by up to 3 weeks resulting in lovely phenolic ripeness.

Aged for 14 months in 300-litre French and American oak barrels (10% new).

The Cabernet Sauvignon grapes were hand-harvested in the cool of the early morning. On the sorting table, all excess stalks and inferior berries were removed. Primary fermentation took place in 7-ton open-top stainless-steel tanks. Intermittent pump-overs and punch downs were done to ensure that the right flavours, aromas and tannins could be extracted from the berries. After primary fermentation some batches underwent extended maceration, maturing separately in oak barrels.

As one of South Africa's leading ambassadors and one of the most recognizable faces in the world of sport it is befitting that Ernie chose Stellenbosch to produce his wines. In 1999 the concept of Ernie Els Wines was born and with the help of award-winning winemaker Louis Strydom they produced the maiden 2000 vintage of Ernie Els - a 'classic' Bordeaux blend. The intention from the outset was to focus on delivering a quality product that could hold its own in the company of the world's finest wines.