Cabernet Sauvignon

Well paired with steak, slow braised beef short rib or a hearty oxtail stew.

These West South-West facing decomposed granite slopes are at an altitude of 100–150m above sea-level. The cooling sea breezes from the nearby Atlantic Ocean, keeps the vines and their fruit cool during the warmer days of the ripening period. In turn, this allows for the maximum flavour, colour and tannin development. The vines are trellised on a seven-wire hedge system and receive only supplementary drip irrigation.

The wine underwent malolactic fermentation in barrel, after which it was racked and then returned to 30% new, 30% 2nd fill and 40% 3rd fill French oak barrels, for 18 months.

The grapes were picked at 25.5 Brix and lightly crushed into 10-ton open top fermenters. The must was fermented at a regulated 27oC with regular pump overs, and punch downs. During the active part of fermentation, we punched down every 4 hours. This is done to break up the cap of the fermenting wine and to submerge the skins for colour and skin tannin extraction.

Zevenwacht is a Stellenbosch wine estate with a 300-year history and vineyards across its maritime home farm and Zevenrivieren on the Helshoogte Pass. Known for Chenin Blanc, Pinotage, Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon and the Tin Mine blends, the estate combines regional character with a strong focus on vineyard-led winemaking.