Neil Ellis Jonkershoek Cabernet Sauvignon 2018

The winter of 2017 was the 3nd year of drought conditions in the Western Cape of South Africa. Little rain fell during the winter of 2017 and was followed by a relatively warm and dry summer. Early budding resulted in an early harvest season. During ripening the days were warm followed by mild evenings. Harvest commenced on 5 March 2018. Grapes were harvested at 25.5°B with a total acid of 7.5 g/l and a pH of 3.48. Fermentation initiated in stainless steel tanks. The crushed grapes underwent a series of pump overs until dry. Further maceration was allowed before drawing off and light pressing. Malolactic fermentation was completed in new French oak barrels. This wine spent 18 months in 100% new French oak barrels. Bottled in December 2019.

The grapes were sourced from a south-west facing trellised vineyard grown in decomposed granite and Table Mountain sandstone.

This is a wine built to last and early drinking would benefit with decanting. It can age for a further fifteen to twenty years if stored in the correct conditions.

Cabernet Sauvignon

This wine will pair well with venison and ribeye on the bone.

This flagship wine has won gold medals at the Decanter awards, the International Wine Challenge (IWC), Double Golds at Veritas Awards and one of the most outstanding reviews on winemag.co.za. It stands for a balance between elegance and power.

In 1984 Neil Ellis sourced grapes from vineyards not of his own and produced wine in rented cellar space. These grapes were sourced in the Stellenbosch district and meant a lot of nosing around the restrictive quota system prevalent at the time. His vision, the pursuit of quality, extended out of the cellar and into the vineyards where varieties would excel and best express a particular style of wine reflective of their environment.