"The immediacy, and aromatic brightness and freshness is uplifting, like a cool breeze wafting past scented with damsons, new leather and Christmas spices. Notes of smoked paprika, lavender, plum skin, boysenberry and nori are teased out latterly, and the oak is already well integrated. Such a sophisticated, positively aristocratic nose, it does not immediately shout South Africa and perhaps shows Jonathan’s “Old World wines in the New World approach”. The palate is similarly lively on the attack with a mid-palate succulence built around ripe black cherries, vanilla pod, cacao nibs and cherry tobacco, but the high-toned cedary, herbal tannins, and a brisk vein of lithe and spicy acidity ensure both length and precision. Rianie deliberately chose a leaner, more focussed Cabernet Franc on which to base the blend which is nicely rounded out by 20% plumper, darker Syrah fruit. This should age with commendable grace and style over the next few years."
Tom Harrow, Head Wine Guru

Focussing on a favourite variety of ours, Cabernet Franc, we were keen to work with Jonathan Maltus OBE, one of the original Saint Émilion garagistes, whose pioneering Le Dôme remains the largest expression of the variety (80% of the blend) in Bordeaux.

Jonathan teamed up with Cape Winemakers Guild member Rianie Strydom of Strydom Family Wines, who sourced the best quality, sustainably-farmed grapes from vines planted in 2010 on the northern slopes of the vaunted Helderberg region in Stellenbosch. The nearby False Bay coastline ensures cool, often breezy weather, which extends the ripening period, enabling better structure and complexity. The soils on this site comprises deep red earth with 30% clay and granite.