While Boekenhoutskloof is famously rooted in Franschhoek, their Stellenbosch Cabernet Sauvignon is sourced from the granite-rich slopes of the Helderberg mountain and a south-east facing slope of Vlottenburg. The mild maritime
influence from the cool False Bay coast and granitic soils are evident in this wine's hallmark minerality and classic, graphite-like profile. Winemaker Gottfried Mocke utilised tulip-shaped concrete tanks for fermentation before aging the wine for 22 months in French oak (60% new). The result is a wine that carries a "Left Bank" Bordeaux soul, but with the unmistakable sun-drenched power of the South African coast. In the glass, the Stellenbosch Cabernet presents a deep, inky purple. The nose is brooding and complex, lead by intense cassis, pencil lead (graphite), and dark chocolate, underpinned by an attractive herbal lift of rosemary and Cape fynbos. The palate is full-bodied, with firm, fine-grained tannins that provide a monumental structure. Layers of blueberry crumble and black cherry linger on a fresh, saline, and exceptionally long finish. [#intro]A masterclass in Stellenbosch Cabernet, delivering profound layers of dark fruit, graphite & rugged minerality...[/intro]