Signature

Lamb shank served with a red wine jus.

All fruit for this Bordeaux-style blend comes from our estate vineyards on the warm, northfacing slopes of the Helderberg in the Stellenbosch appellation. These varieties thrive here because the combination of granite-rich soils, elevation of around 250 metres and steady ocean influence creates an ideal balance of warmth and restraint. The soils offer structure and natural concentration, while the altitude and the cooling breeze from the Atlantic, just 15 kilometres away, slow ripening and extend the growing season. This allows each variety to develop full phenolic ripeness without losing freshness. Every block is managed separately so the components can bring their own character to the final blend.

Aged for 18 months in French oak barrels (50% new). A small batch (10%) spent 8 months in terracotta amphorae.

The grapes were hand-harvested in the cool hours of the early morning. Whole berries were fermented in Italian Nico Velo concrete tanks with intermittent pump-overs and punchdowns 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.

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.