Neethlingshof The Caracal 2004

Colour: Dark red.
Bouquet: Plum, blackcurrant and cherry aromas supported by oak, cedar and vanilla notes.
Taste: A full-bodied, muscular and smooth wine with prune and blackcurrant flavours and firm but supple tannins.

Excellent served with steak, oxtail, beef stroganoff, roasts, casseroles, stews, game, charcuterie and mature cheeses.

To buy our wines in South Africa, please click here

variety : Cabernet Sauvignon [ Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc ]

winery : Neethlingshof Wine Estate

winemaker : De Wet Viljoen

wine of origin :

analysis : alc : 14.0 % vol rs : 2.6 g/l pH : 3.69 ta : 5.8 g/l

type : Red body : Full

pack : Bottle closure : Cork

ageing : Ready to enjoy now or can be matured for another decade.

in the vineyard : The Cabernet Sauvignon vineyard was planted in 1987 on northwest facing slopes, situated 120 m above sea level. The Merlot was planted in 1998 on a north-westerly slope, 210 m above sea level, while the Cabernet Franc vineyard, established in 1987, grows in deep red soils, 125 m above sea level.

These vineyards are grafted onto R99, 110 and 101-4 rootstocks and trellised, using a five-wire vertical fence.

The yield from all the vineyards was restricted to an average of 7.5 tons per hectare to further enhance the quality of the fruit.

about the harvest: The grapes were harvested by hand at 24° to 25° Balling, with each varietal individually vinified.

in the cellar : After destalking and crushing, in each instance, the mash was fermented in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks after adding a chosen, pure yeast culture. Fermentation took place at 28°C and lasted seven days.

After malolactic fermentation the wine was matured in a combination of mostly new, as well as second and third-fill French 300-litre barrels, and about 10% American oak, for a period of 12 months, before fining and bottling.

email the winery

email this page

find our wines in :