The Left Bank Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot

Lambshank, Spiced Venison, Steak

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. Today the experience and knowledge of the past are applied to modern techniques and technologies for a new generation of winemaking. “Our vision remains to make distinctive refined wines that are expressive of their terrain and rank amongst South Africa’s finest. A pursuit of quality nothing less.” Neil Ellis

The Grapes are specifically sourced from south-west facing slopes of some of the coolest sites in Stellenbosch. These vineyards are also influenced by southerly breezes during the summer months which have a beneficial effect. Trellised vineyards planted in decomposed granite soils from the Bottelary Hills and Jonkershoek valley. Grapes were harvested between 24.5°B and 25.5°B with a total acid of 6.8 – 7.1 g/l and a pH of 3.4-3.6

The wine spent 17 months in French oak barrels of which 30% was new. The balance in 2nd, 3rd, and 4th fill barrels.

Fermentation initiated in stainless steel tanks and underwent a series of pump overs until dry. Further maceration allowed before drawing off and light pressing.