Zorgvliet Cabernet Franc 2021

In the vineyard

The vineyards are in the Banghoek Valley, Stellenbosch. Elevation is 300-350m above sea level and is mostly southerly facing. This provides for moderate temperatures resulting in the late but slow ripening of the fruit. The soils are made up of leached, decomposed granite and sandstone. Gravel in the upper layers provides for good drainage in wet seasons and clay in the subsoil provides for moisture retention in dry ones. Vineyards are trained on a 7-wire hedge and cane pruned by hand. Average yield is 5-8tons/ha. The 2020-2021 growing season was cooler than 2019-2020. Rain in December 2020 created disease pressure but was under control. Vines seemed to have recovered from the 2015-2017 drought as foliage growth was strong. Cooler weather contributed to good colour extraction in reds, higher natural acidity in juices and lower pH levels. Grapes ripened two weeks later than the average of 2020. No rainfall during Jan-Feb. Below average yields.