Neethlingshof Malbec 2015

ageing : 

The wine is ready to drink now but will mature for a further 5 years.

The Neethlingshof estate in Stellenbosch takes its name from its 19th century owner, Marthinus Laurentius Neethling, who served as mayor of Stellenbosch and was also a member of the Cape Parliament.

A member of the Biodiversity & Wine Initiative, acknowledged for its protection of indigenous habitat, the 378 ha winery has set aside 127 ha for conservation. It cultivates both red and white varietals, with the bias marginally in favour of whites. The major red varietals are Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, Malbec and Pinotage. The predominant soil types found on the farm are Oakleaf and Tukulu.

The vineyards
The Malbec vineyards, established in Tukulu and Villafonté soils, are located on a westerly slope between 120m and 150m above sea level. The vines were planted in 2003 and are trellised onto a seven-wire vertical hedge system and grafted onto Richter 110 rootstock. They receive supplementary irrigation through a drip system only when necessary.

Viticulturist: Hannes van Zyl

After crushing, the juice remained on the skins for 24 hours. Fermentation took place in rotation tanks between 27°C to 29°C and was completed in small barrels. After malolactic fermentation, the wine was matured in oak casks.