Signature

The grapes were hand-harvested in the cool hours of the early morning. Whole berries were fermented in Nico Velo concrete tanks with intermittent pump-overs and punch-downs to ensure a balance between flavour, colour and tannin extraction from the skins. This was followed by secondary fermentation in various vessels, including terracotta amphorae and oak barrels. All ferments were meticulously monitored to ensure that the natural aromas and flavours could be preserved. Each variety was matured separately, before final blending and bottling.

The 2021 Vintage was the first vintage where the vines started to come back into their normal circadian rhythm with the rain and temperatures normalizing. This vintage started with the soil at full water holding capacity allowing the vines to bud with no limitations. The temperatures this season were relatively hot, but had intermittent cooler days with rain. This led to stretching the ripening of the fruit to allow the ripening process to continue for longer. All fruit was sourced from the Ernie Els Wines property, with vineyards that grow on the warm north-facing slopes of the Helderberg region within the Stellenbosch appellation. Each variety is separately managed to create unique and varied flavour profiles for this classic Bordeaux-style blend. With an altitude of approximately 250 metres above sea level, together with the cooling influence of the Atlantic Ocean, the ripening period can be extended resulting in wines with phenolic ripeness.

Aged for 18 months in French oak barrels (50% new). A small batch (15%) spent 8 months in terracotta amphorae.