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Description
A classically styled wine with notes of cassis and cedar. The seamless, elegant palate is encased by fine tannins. It is a wine that will increase in complexity with age.
Producer Details Wines from the Waterkloof Estate emphasise restraint, elegance and a strong mineral character due to the vineyards exposed position on the upper slopes of the famed Schaapenberg Mountain. High above False Bay the Waterkloof vineyards face directly onto the Atlantic Ocean at the southern limit of the Stellenbosch wine region. This very special site with its strong maritime influence, steep aspect and unique soil profile allows for the production of truly fine wines. The winemaking and viticultural team led by Werner Engelbrecht follow natural winemaking methods with minimal intervention, including the use of open-top fermenters, whole bunch pressing, wild yeast fermentation, extended fermentation periods and extra lees contact to maximise the terroir character. Since the first vintage in 2005 the estate has garnered widespread praise and many awards, producing some of South Africas best and most sought after Sauvignon and Merlot based wines. Waterkloof has also been at the forefront of innovation producing South Africas first iconic ros (Cape Coral). Wines under the Peacock Ridge label are produced from the lower more protected slopes and are rounder with greater generosity and a more forward style.
In the Vineyard Working with nature allows us to experience its natural cycle every year. Vines awaken from their rest in spring, growing and producing fruit until the next winter when they go to sleep again. This cycle is also evident through our Biodynamic practices that we follow on Waterkloof. Circle of Life is inspired by this cycle that exists not only on Waterkloof, but life in general. Our focus the last 6 years have always been to get a better understanding of Waterkloof and the individual characters of its vineyards. We discovered that vineyards from different parts of Waterkloof produced wines that were stylistic very different. Through the Peacock Ridge and Circumstance wines we have always tried to allow these vineyards to express there individuality. Other than following a certain style, for example a Bordeaux blend, we blended a wine that we feel represents Waterkloof.
In the Winery We mainly rely on tasting the grapes to determine the optimum stage of flavour development. Grapes are picked early in the morning when they are still cool, which helps to preserve the flavours. Bordeaux varietals are generally destemmed and Rhone varietals are, depending on the ripeness level of the stems, fermented as whole bunches. All our red wines are fermented in open top wooden fermenters with punchdowns a maximum of twice a day. The wine will stay on the skins for 30 to 40 days before being pressed. All the wines are fermented naturally without the addition of cultivated yeast.
Press Quotes 2008 Vintage: "...assembled from mourvedre, merlot, syrah, grenache, cabernet franc and petit verdot. Ive never tasted anything quite like it.Aromatic and perfumed it has great structure and elegance." Andy Cronshaw, MEN, Januray 2011.
Grapes: A blend to reflect the totality of the vineyard