Alto Cabernet Sauvignon 2019

The grapes were harvested by hand at the end of March at 24º to 26º Balling. After destalking and crushing, the mash was fermented in stainless steel tanks at 25º to 27ºC, using selected yeast cultures. The juice was separated from the skins after 14 days. After malolactic fermentation, the wine was racked into first-, second- and third-fill French oak barrels and matured for 18 months.

This wine is made from grapes of north-facing vines, between 13 and 18 years old, that grow in decomposed granite and clay subsoils situated at altitudes of 135m to 500m above sea level. The vines on the higher slopes are fanned by the cooling maritime breezes from nearby False Bay. A seven-wire Perold trellising system is used, which yielded an average of 8 tons per hectare.

Cabernet Sauvignon

Excellent enjoyed on its own or served with red meat dishes like ostrich, beef fillet or lamb It is also a great accompaniment to game fish like yellowtail or tuna.

2024

• Wine Mag 93 points & Top 10
• Wine Advocate – 93 points
• Gilbert & Gaillard – 93 points

Alto, situated on the slopes of the Helderberg Mountain in the Stellenbosch district, dates back to 1693 when it was part of a much larger farm called Groenrivier (Green River), granted to a free burgher by Governor Simon van der Stel. In 1919 the owner of the farm, Hennie Malan, sold off half the land to his brother-in-law and set about planting vines on his remaining portion, focusing exclusively on red varieties. He named the farm Alto, a reference to its altitude (some slopes rise as high as 500m above sea level) and his striving for excellence. Alto has 93 hectares under vines. The trellised vineyards cling to the high granite slopes, ideal for the cultivation of red wine varieties.