Franschhoek Old Vines Lötter Cinsault

Cinsault as a wine and food pairing is often used with sea snails in garlic, better known as Escargot. It also works quite well in pairings with rich foods like stews, braised and roasted meat dishes.

From a magical parcel of dry-land bush vine Cinsault vineyard planted in 1932 in the clay rich soils of the eastern slopes of Franschhoek mountains. This is South Africa’s second oldest registered red wine vineyard.

After fermentation, 2 weeks skin contact is given, and the wine was drained and pressed to barrel. The wine was racked and blended mid- way through the year and bottled after 20 months in barrel.

Grapes are crushed to tank, with 100% whole clusters. Minimal sulphur is added, and no further additions are made. Fermentation begins without inoculation and the wine is pigeaged twice a day. Temperatures are not allowed to exceed 28°C. Fermentation lasted 8 days.

The Leeu Passant winery, based in Franschhoek, was established in 2013 with the purpose of harnessing the most exciting vineyards of the Cape in order to create multi-regional wines from vineyards aimed at expressing the Cape as a whole (not only from Franschhoek). The Name “Leeu Passant” is derived from Heraldry, referring to a ‘passing Lion’ and this is the symbol on the top of the capsule. Chris and Andrea Mullineux search far and wide for the best parcels of grapes for these wines, and make them at the Leeu Passant base, on Leeu Estates.