Award Winning Wines
ELYSIUM
The fourth vintage of this unique co-fermented wine is only possible due to the rare occurrence of Merlot and Syrah ripening at the same time on the Holden Manz farm in Franschhoek. The individual varietals were hand-picked on 17th March 2020 by our Cellarmaster and then hand-sorted allowing only the most optimally ripe berries to be used for this wine. Three brand-new 225-liter French oak barrels with medium toast were filled with a mix of Merlot and Syrah berries. The barrels were rolled regularly until spontaneous fermentation occurred. Cuvaison took place over approximately 50 days. 24 months matured in new French oak barrels. Only 900 bottles.
MERLOT
Full-bodied. Black cherries and plum on entry with a complex mid-palate and a mocha finish – very moreish! Soft round tannins with a long velvety fruity finish.
CABERNET FRANC
The 2019/20 growing season was characterized by cooler but windy conditions. Fruit set was negatively impacted by wind damage. The vintage was moderately warm. Bunches and berries were smaller than average but with lots of fruit intensity. The wines from this vintage are developing great depth of flavour.
SYRAH
Ripe and bold dark fruit, meaty and spicy notes, think Cornas/Hermitage style, smoky, steak tartare, black pepper, rounded tannin, long powerful finish.
Semillon
A 20-year-old patch of Franschhoek grown grapes within sight of Holden Manz produced a yield of around 7 tonnes per hectare. Grapes were manually harvested early in the morning, refrigerated to 5C before undergoing whole bunch press. Following settling and racking 25% was naturally fermented in a mix of first and second fill barrels. The remainder was fermented at 14C in stainless steel tanks. The wine was stirred on fine lees for 8 months prior to bottling on 5 November 2020. Limited production of 2,858 bottles produced.
Reserve
CHARDONNAY
Barrel fermented symphony combines citrus, white blossoms, summer melon, passion fruit and just a touch of well-integrated high-quality French oak in this Meursault style chardonnay. Fermented using indigenous yeast.
CHARDONNAY
Barrel fermented symphony combines citrus, white blossoms, summer melon, passion fruit and just a touch of well integrated high quality French oak in this Meursault style chardonnay.
PROPRIETORS' WHITE BLEND
A stunning blend of 40% Chardonnay, 40% Viognier and 20% Chenin Blanc. A beautifully perfumed nose leads to a full fruit-filled mouthfeel with a long sexy finish.
PROPRIETORS' RED BLEND
This combination of Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah delivers a perfumed nose with complementary flavours of dark and red fruits and underpinned with soft spiced. A beautiful structure and chewy tannins ensure a tantalizing mouth feel.
CHENIN BLANC
Hand-selected bunches from three excellent vineyards in the Stellenbosch/Paarl border area and from the Paardeberg. 100% from bush vines over 40 years old. Harvested during the period 4th to 20th February 2020. Berries cooled to 5oC prior to “Champagne” crush cycle. The clarified juice is transferred by gravity to barrels and tanks for fermentation. Wild yeast fermentation with 20% vinified and matured in a mix of new and second-fill French oak barrels. All the wine was stirred continually on the fine lees. Bottled November 2020.
ROTHKO ROSÉ
Winter 2021 saw good rainfall and plenty of cold days. The growing season was characterized by cool temperatures and regular rains until December. January and February were hot and dry then the rain returned in March which made harvest testing. Rosé grapes were harvested under great conditions in February.
The wine is made in true Provençal style. Dry and fruit-driven, the wine is made from 57% Grenache, 22% Syrah, 21% cinsault. Whole bunch pressed under dry ice using the Champagne press cycle, average skin contact time is less than 3 hours. This maximises extraction of fruit flavours while minimizing colour transfer. Picked on various dates between 14 and February and 2 March 2022. Bottled 18 May 2022.
HIRO ROSÉ
Smooth full mouth feel with wet stone minerality, sea salt, fresh cling peaches and Japanese raspberries. A creamy elegant wine with tonnes of finesse and a long finish. A complex wine designed to delight and make a special occasion unique.
VERNISSAGE
These grapes were selected from distinct parcels with varying soil types. This complexity in growing has resulted in a wonderful intricacy in the wine. The grapes were picked at optimal ripeness to enable the correct balance between sugar and phenolics.
Individual varieties were bunch and berry sorted, crushed and destalked to tank. Fermentation was initiated after 8 days cold soaking. Minimal additions were made to preserve the true cultivar characteristics of the grapes and to minimize man-made impact on the wine. After careful blending trials and numerous test tastings, the final blend combined a variety of batches each contributing in its own unique way to make this a balanced, expressive and fruit-driven wine. Maturation included 18 months in 3rd fill French oak barrels.
BIG G
The individual varieties were handpicked and sorted allowing only the best berries to be used for this wine. Selected blocks in the vineyard are allocated to be used in making the Big G. All grapes fermented wild; 10% barrel fermented in new wood. Merlot harvested 1 March 2017 and cabernet sauvignon and cabernet franc harvested 28 March 2017. Matured for 20 months in 30% new 225 litre French oak barrels.
SYRAH
Beautiful aromas of violets, cloves, star anise, nutmeg and black peppercorns complemented by fresh red berries. Silky smooth entry, showing ripe, soft tannins with beautiful vibrant fruit and spicy flavours. Darker fruits provide a long lingering finish.
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
Rich and full palate with complex array of dark fruit. The middle palate is full and shows width with complexity and depth leading to a long, full finish. Fine wood tannins combine with well balanced acidity.
VISIONAIRE
A visionary blend! Spicy Bordeaux style with homage to Hermitage. Cabernet sauvignon and merlot dominate this multi-award winning wine with a supporting cast of cabernet franc, Malbec, petit verdot spiced up with a decent serving of Syrah!
GOOD SPORT CAPE VINTAGE
Smooth, soft entry with sweet fruits, a whiff of Sauterne, fynbos honeyed nougat and pleasant acidity on the palate. This wine is rich and warm and has a long length and finish.