in the cellar : GRAPE VARIETIES:
Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc
BACKGROUND:
Simonsig has been producing Cabernet Sauvignon since 1976 and achieved early success when the 1977 vintage won the General Smuts trophy after being judged as the Champion Wine of South Africa. Simonsig replanted and expanded its planting of Cabernet Sauvignon over the last decade and it now has mature vineyards planted with the best virus free clones available in South Africa. These shy bearing vineyards are planted on deep red decomposed granite and shale soils with high moisture holding capacity. This minimises the need for irrigation and gives great concentration of flavour.
VINTAGE DESCRIPTION:
It was a fairly dry winter with only 529mm of rain which is about 20% below average. The growing season started early and we expected a very early harvest. This was exacerbated by very hot conditions during harvest which resulted in high sugars. Due to these hot conditions we harvested very healthy grapes as there were no problems with viticultural diseases during the growing period. The size of the crop was about 10% below average and the average yield was 8.5 T/Ha. Exceptionally ripe grapes were picked and the wines all show very dark colours, succulent fruit and soft ripe tannins.