Springfield Estate The Work of Time 2009

It was our desire to produce a classic blend of Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon. The grapes were fermented whole with native yeast and was left for 5 weeks on the skins. A slow 2 years of barrel maturation followed and 4 years of bottle ageing. Rich, classic and complex from age - of vines and wine.

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variety : Cabernet Franc [ 39% Cabernet Franc, 34% Merlot, 17% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Petit Verdot ]

winery : Springfield Estate

winemaker :

wine of origin : Robertson

analysis : alc : 14.46 % vol rs : 2.6 g/l pH : 3.4 ta : 6.6 g/l

type : Red style : Dry body : Full wooded

pack : Bottle size : 750ml closure : Cork

Time – The lost element in today’s winemaking, can be so precious – yet it is free. It was our desire to produce a Bordeaux Blend and so we planted the classic varieties of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Petit Verdot. These vines were planted on carefully selected sites and took 9 years to reach a level of maturity which we felt comfortable to use for the maiden vintage (2001).

in the vineyard : Slope: very gentle, southerly
Soil: chalk, calcrete formations
Climate: moderate summer with low night temperatures, cold winter
Wind: south easterly (summer)

about the harvest: Harvested at full seed ripeness.

in the cellar :

The grapes were fermented whole with native yeasts (true to our ancient custom) and left for 5 weeks on their skins. A slow 2 years of barrel maturation followed and a further 4 years of bottle maturation. Finally, we released this wine rich, classic and complex from age – of vines and wine. This long wait, justified only by our passion, does bear fruit. It’s called-“The Work of Time”.

Cold macerated uncrushed in open fermenters for 10 days.
Punched through 3 times daily.
3 Weeks alcoholic fermentation; only free run used.
100% Malolatic fermentation spontaneously in barrel.
24 Months barrel maturation in 1st and 2nd fill.
Sequin Moreau 300 litre.
4 years bottle maturation at 14°C.
Filtration: none
Bottling: Unfiltered, unfined, unstabilised