Veritas Wine Awards 2019 Double Gold Tim AtkinAnnual South African Report 2018 - 91 pointsAmorim Méthode Cap Classique Challenge 2019 Gold John Platter Wine Guide 2020 - 4.5 stars
WINEMAKERHeidi Dietstein ORIGINStellenbosch TERROIR / SOILEscourt and Glen Rosa VINEYARD AND CLIMATE CONDITIONSTrellised vines with average age of eight years yielded the grapes for this wine, at an average of eight tonnes per hectare. The vineyards received supplementary drip irrigation. A high rainfall and cooler temperatures throughout the preceding winter characterised an ideal vintage for Cap Classique. Long, slow ripening resulted in smaller berries with rich, concentrated flavours. Temperature: winter 10° – 17°C; summer 14° – 28°C Annual rainfall: 680mm Proximity to ocean: 15km WINEMAKINGGrapes from two prime vineyard blocks were hand-harvested between 17° and 19°B using 9kg lug boxes. The grapes were whole bunch pressed after sorting by hand. 90% of the juice was fermented in stainless steel tanks and 10% in old 400L French oak barrels to add complexity. This Cap Classique R.D was made in the truly patient traditional style with minimum interference, focusing on secondary characteristics from bottle fermentation and ageing. After extended maturation on the lees for 103 months in the bottle, the bubbly was disgorged (when the yeast lees are removed) in April 2018. Zero dosage was added after disgorgement. DOWNLOAD TASTING NOTE
