Delaire Graff Botmaskop 2021
An opulent and polished blend with classic aromas of cassis and spice leading to a structured palate with liquorice and blackberry flavours and enveloped by fine, lingering tannins.
The grapes come from a selection of premium Stellenbosch vineyards. The vines range from 13 to 22 years in age and are trellised on a five-wire Perold system, a form of a vertical trellis which helps to protect the vines from wind damage. The climate is Mediterranean, with warm, dry summers which are mitigated by the cooling sea breezes from the Atlantic, resulting in a slower ripening process encouraging natural balancing acidity to balance the concentrated fruit flavours. The terroir is made up of Hutton leaf and Tukulu soils, which are derived from granite and have good physical and water-retention properties. The vineyards are cultivated sustainably and are certified by IPW. were hand-picked in the cool early hours of the South African morning to retain freshness.
Extensive sorting of the grapes ensured high quality fruit for vinification. The grapes were destemmed with 30% being crushed to give body and structure for added longevity. 70% whole-berry fermentation took place in cooler temperatures of 24°C - 26°C and gentle punch downs ensured subtle extraction of red fruit characters. The Cabernet Sauvignon component underwent a four-week post ferment maturation on the skins. After basket pressing, the wine matured in 40% new French oak barrels for 16 months, where partial malolactic conversion took place.
Delaire Graff is a jewel in the Cape Winelands, located in the historic Banghoek Valley of Stellenbosch. Originally a farm named Avontuur, the estate was purchased by the well-known wine writer John Platter in 1982, who renamed it Delaire meaning ‘From the Sky’ due to the magnificent views. In 2003, Laurence Graff OBE acquired the estate and following a six-year redevelopment programme, he transformed the estate into Delaire Graff: an iconic producer of world-class wines and a luxury boutique estate. The meticulous efforts of the teams under the guidance of viticulturist Kallie Fernhout and winemaker Morné Vrey skilfully craft their award-winning wines from the unique terroir on the crest of the Helshoogte Mountain Pass. The grapes are grown on high-altitude terraces on the steep slopes of Botmaskop Mountain, which are cooled by sea breezes from the Atlantic. The wines show outstanding purity, which has become the hallmark of Delaire Graff wines. Delaire Graff was classed as First Growth in 2022 by Tim Atkin MW, and is ranked 36th by the World's Best Vineyards 2023.
- Awards: Gold, DWWA, 2024; 95 Pts, Decanter, 2024
- ABV: 14.5%
- Grapes: Cabernet Sauvignon 54%, Cabernet Franc 27%, Petit Verdot 11%, Merlot 8%
- Country: South Africa
- Region: Stellenbosch
- Subregion: Stellenbosch
- Body: C
- Residual sugar (g/l): 1.3
- Sulphites: Yes
- Vegetarian: Yes
- Vegan: Yes
- Milk: No
- Eggs: No
- Organic: No
- Biodynamic: No
- Closure: Cork
- Winemaker: Morné Vrey
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