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VINEYARDS This tiny, tree-lined vineyard is tucked away in the upper valley of our farm, protected from harsh sunlight and extreme temperatures, allowing the grapes to ripen slowly. These moderate temperatures help preserve the grape’s natural acidity and fresh citrus aromas. The yields are kept low to eliminate stress in the vine and ensure good uniform ripeness. The soil is made up entirely of wellweathered granite. VINIFICATION All grapes are picked at optimum ripeness in the early hours of the morning. They are then packed into a cold room to be chilled further for processing the following day. The grapes are whole bunch pressed, which reduces the absorption of coarse phenolics and helps retain more of the grape’s natural vibrancy. The juice is not settled but sent directly to three and 400-liter French oak barrels where spontaneous wild yeast fermentation takes place. No Sulphur is added, and the wine typically undergoes a high degree of malolactic fermentation. The wine is matured on its yeast lees for 7 months after which it is blended to tank, then returned to barrel for a further 4 months. The wine spends 11 months in barrel before finally being returned to tank for a gentle filtration and stabilization before bottling. TASTING NOTES & CELLARING & FOOD PAIRING The wine has a bright hue and a vibrant golden colour. It has a striking nose of sliced pear and peach blossom interwoven with subtle lime and caramelised oats. A full-bodied wine but with excellent palate tension. Crisp apple and chalky citrus are infused with layers of Crème Brulé and roasted almonds. The flavours are refreshing, and the finish refined. Exceptionally well suited to grilled fish, creamy Alfredo pasta, and salads. The freshness of the wine also makes it ideal for mild, aromatic curries. Accolades 2019 Vintage: 2021 Platter’s Guide – 4 Stars 2020 South African Wine Index (SAWI) – Platinum Award 95+ 2021 South African Wine Index (SAWI) – Platinum Award 95+ 2020 Vintage: 2022 Platter's Guide - 4 Stars 2021 Vintage: 2022 Michelangelo-Double Gold 2023 Platter's Guide - 4 Stars (87 Pts) 2022 Vintage: 2023: Michelangelo- Double Gold 2023:Vitis Vinifera- Gold 2024: Platter’s Guide- 4 Stars(89Pts) Analysis pH 3.34 Total Acidity 6.1 g/l Residual Sugar 5.1 g/l Alcohol 13.64 % Download Tasting Sheet -
(100% Cabernet Sauvignon) VINEYARDS The grapes used for this very special wine originate from the same vineyard used to make the highly acclaimed Bowwood blend, previously produced by Julian Johnsen and Bruce Jack. This Southwestfacing slope is located on one of Vondeling’s highest and most temperate slopes. The roots burrow deep into nutrient-poor, wellweathered granite soils. This offers great consistency of concentration and aroma. The grapes are harvested at 25°balling. Hand-picking ensures that only the very best fruit enters the cellar. VINIFICATION Upon arrival at the cellar, the grapes are pre-chilled before processing. Once chilled they are gently destemmed, and the berries cold-soaked for two days before natural fermentation is allowed to occur. A combination of whole and crushed berries allows for a slow extraction of tannins and an intense fruit-driven profile. Fermentation takes place in open-top fermenters and extraction is encouraged by hand plunging. After fermentation, extended maceration on the skins is allowed for one week. Extended maceration allows the components to mesh and achieve greater harmony. The wine is then drained to 300Lt Hungarian oak barrels and the skins are pressed in a traditional wooden basket press. 100% malolactic fermentation takes place in barrel after which the wine is racked and returned to barrel for at least one full year. After a total time of 18 months in barrel, the wine is bottled and laid to rest for another year before finally being released. TASTING NOTES & CELLARING & FOOD PAIRING The wine displays a dark ruby red colour. Shows a beautiful aroma of white musk, cinnamon, red cherries, cigar box and sultry vanilla. It has a broad, succulent and silky palate with plenty of red fruit, smoky cigar box, roasted almonds, and maraschino cherries. Fine, textured tannins on the finish. Wine can be paired with hearty, slow-cooked red meat dishes or a simple sirloin or fillet with a green peppercorn or truffle and mushroom sauce. Accolades 2020 Vintage: 2023: Platter’s Guide-4.5 Stars(91 Pts Good Value) 2021 Vintage: 2023: Winemag-90 Points 2024: Platter’s Guide- 4 Stars (89 Pts) Analysis pH 3.70 Total Acidity 5.9 g/l Residual Sugar 1.6 g/l Alcohol 14.25 % Download Tasting Sheet -
(100% Shiraz) VINEYARDS For this delicious wine, we select the sites and clones which promote greater aromatics and a more accessible palate. The vineyards are planted on ancient, granite derived soils on south and south east facing slopes. In total six clones of Shiraz are used, and each clone enriches the complexity of the final wine. VINIFICATION All grapes are hand selected and chilled overnight before being partially destemmed and placed as whole berries in open-top fermenters. The berry mash is cold soaked for 48hrs, before fermenting spontaneously. Fermentation takes place at a cool 22°C. All fermentation is done by wild yeasts. During fermentation, the wine is mixed by hand and not by pump. This method facilitates greater control and expression of the wine. Once fermentation is complete the skins are pressed in a traditional basket press and the wine is transferred to 500L second and third fill French oak barrels. Malolactic fermentation occurs in the barrel and helps to soften and enhance the natural wine flavours. The wine will spend more than a year in barrel to improved maturity and expose more flavours. TASTING NOTES & CELLARING & FOOD PAIRING The wine a deep purple colour with flashes of scarlet. The ripe plum and mulberry aromas are uplifted with cherry blossom and violets, while infused with subtle cinnamon and aromatic white pepper. The palate is gentle and the tannins fresh but rounded. The aromatics continue into the palate with added blueberry, a hint of roasted black olives and soft-spoken sweet spice. A versatile, vibrant medium-bodied wine, the Baldrick Shiraz will enhance many a dish and occasion. We recommend it with slow cooked lamb, freshly seared steak and mashed potato with caramelised onion gravy. You could even have it with turnip…?! Accolades 2018 Vintage:2020 Gilbert & Gaillard International Challenge – Gold 2020 Vitis Vinifera - Gold 2020 Gold wine awards - Gold 2021 Platter’s Guide – 4 Stars 2021 South African Wine Index (SAWI) – Platinum Award 95+
2019 Vintage:2021 Gold Wine Awards -Gold
Analysis pH 3.5 Total Acidity 5.4 g/l Residual Sugar 3.3 g/l Alcohol 13.6 % Download Tasting Sheet -
(60% Chenin Blanc, 19% Chardonnay 10% Viognier, 7% Grenache Blanc & 4% Roussanne) Named in honour of Babiana Noctiflora, which is a rare species of fynbos found only on the Paardeberg Mountain. It has a delicate yellow flower that releases its scent in the evenings to attract an extremely rare moth for pollination. The Syngrapha Circumflexa of the Noctuidae moth family is also known as an Owlet moth. THE NAME BABIANA Babiana Noctiflora belongs to the Iris family. The name Babiana is derived from the Dutch ‘baviaantje’, meaning 'little baboon', because baboons were seen preferentially eating the corms of these plants. This species has lost habitat to vineyards and fruit orchards in the past, but at Vondeling we conserve this endangered species. VINEYARDS Made predominantly from Chenin blanc, picked from a single block of old vines (planted in 1987). Their age and low yield ensure consistent quality and concentration, which is why it forms the backbone of our blend. The fullness of the Chenin is tempered by the verve and high aromatics of the Grenache Blanc, Viognier, and Roussanne. VINIFICATION All grapes are hand-picked at optimum ripeness and refrigerated for 24hrs before being processed. The Chenin is whole bunch press and no Sulphur added to promote wild yeast development. The unsettled juice is then rapidly transferred to barrel for natural fermentation. Although a nerve-racking process, this method lends structure, complexity, and longevity to the wine. The Grenache Blanc, Roussanne, and Viognier are destemmed and cold fermented for 8 days on the skins before being basket pressed directly to barrel to complete fermentation. The wine undergoes full malolactic fermentation and is matured 12 months on the lees before being racked, blended, and bottled. TASTING NOTES & CELLARING & FOOD PAIRING The wine has a bright yellow colour. It has a smoky and toasty nose with hints of stone fruit. The palate is full and creamy, with well-integrated acidity followed by vanilla on the aftertaste. Well use of oak allows for some subtle toasty notes on the palate. This serious and complex wine pairs well with rabbit in white wine sauce and shallots or simple, aromatic Asian dishes and rich seafood. Drink through 2027. Accolades 2020 Vintage: 2021 Tim Atkin 91pts 2021 South African Wine Index (SAWI) – Platinum Award 95+ 2021 Platter’s Guide- 4.5 Stars (91pts) 2019 Vintage: 2021 Platter’s Guide- 5 Stars (95pts) 2021 Winemag 94 points Analysis pH 3.42 Total Acidity 5.4 g/l Residual Sugar 3.1 g/l Alcohol 13.45 % Download Tasting Sheet
