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Excelsior Robertson Cabernet Sauvignon 2023
This Cabernet Sauvignon displays ripe blackcurrant and dried herb characters on the nose, which are backed up with spicy notes from the oak ageing. The palate is smooth and soft, with beautiful ripe tannins and a long finish.
For years the Excelsior land was grazed by thoroughbred horses, the limestone rich soils thought to provide them with a source of calcium through the vegetation they consumed. This limestone content has proven to be beneficial for grape growing; the grapes grown here display greater spice notes in reds and fresher acidity in whites, than is typical in the Robertson region. Cabernet Sauvignon is the most planted variety on the estate making up 43% of all plantings.
Grapes were hand-harvested for greater quality control and the vineyard parcels were all vinified separately. The grapes were immediately destemmed but not crushed. Fermentation took place in stainless-steel tanks for a period of seven days at temperatures of 28-32°C, where aerated racking took place twice daily to ensure a clean ferment and soft tannins. The grapes were then gently pressed in a bladder press, after which malolactic fermentation was completed in tank. 40% of the total wine was aged in a mixture of French and American oak for a period of nine months, while the remaining wine was aged in stainless-steel tanks.
| RRP | £12.99 |
| Bottle size | 75cl |
| Vintage | 2023 |
| Alcoholic strength | 14% |
| Country | South Africa |
| Region | Breede River Valley |
| Subregion | Robertson |
| Grapes | Cabernet Sauvignon 93%, Petit Verdot 7% |
| Residual sugar (g/l) | 3.5 |
| Vegetarian | Yes |
| Vegan | Yes |
| Organic | No |
| Biodynamic | No |
| Closure | Screwcap |
| Winemaker | Johan Stemmet |
The De Wet family has owned Excelsior Estate, in the Western Cape town of Robertson, since 1859. Though the estate has had various incarnations, including ostrich farming and racehorse rearing, it has always been used for vine growing. Freddie De Wet and his sons Peter and Jacques now run the 220-hectare estate focused on the ‘big five’ varieties, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz. Robertson is located 100 kilometres east of Cape Town, where, although the climate is hotter, it is moderated by sea breezes and the Breede River. The diurnal temperature differences allow for slow ripening and retention of the primary fruit aromatics and bright acidity.
Excelsior is unique for such a large estate, as all the grapes are hand-harvested, providing many jobs for the local community. As a result, they have the Wine Industry Ethical Trade Association’s (WIETA) Fair Labour Practice seal and are also Integrity and Sustainability Certified by the Wine and Spirit Board. Both are voluntary accreditations that adhere to strict codes of conduct.
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