Anthonij Rupert Cape of Good Hope Riebeeksrivier Western Slopes 2021

A gentle trace of herby fynbos overlays a sweet ripe plum and blueberry bouquet, tinged with pepper and spice. Silky smooth entry, simultaneously opulent and spicy but restrained and showing a sense of reserve and decorum. Both red and black fruit – blackberry, cherry and plum – are balanced by a taut dryness that make for a clean, refined and elegant mouthful. It is suave and sleek, rather than flashy or obvious. Poised, delivering succulent generosity but with a notable dry tannic frame that promises good longevity and development. It bids farewell with a gentle, lingering softness and flavour memory.

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variety : Shiraz [ 70% Shiraz,25% Carignan, 5% Grenache ]

winery : Anthonij Rupert Wyne

winemaker : Dawie Botha

wine of origin : Western Cape

analysis : alc : 14.5 % vol rs : 5.3 g/l pH : 3.56 ta : 5.3 g/l

type : Red style : Dry body : Full taste : Fragrant wooded

pack : Bottle size : 750ml closure : Cork

Late, slow and steady” would be the best way to describe the 2021 vintage. The preceding winter was cold and wet, resulting in good dormancy and healthy dam levels prior to the growing season. The cool weather continued into Spring which in turn resulted in delayed but relatively even bud break, flowering and fruit set. The moderate summer temperatures slowed the ripening period and resulted in harvest starting about two weeks later than normal. The usually hot month of February was uncharacteristically cool, allowing for the gradual ripening of fruit with good flavours and acidity. An exceptional vintage which promises to deliver outstanding wines.

in the vineyard : The Riebeeksrivier farm lies on the slopes of the Kasteelberg, overlooking the Swartland with distant views of Table Mountain. Its unique terroir—marked by Rhône-like Malmesbury shale— is strongly reflected in the character of the fruit. The vineyards from the Western Slope inspired this wine. Its shale-rich soils and sun-facing aspect results in concentrated, yet finessed, textured and well-structured wines.

about the harvest: Grapes were harvested from blocks planted on the farm’s western-facing slope. All grapes were hand-picked in the early morning and transported to the cellar. After all of the grapes had passed through the optic sorting machine, the various components were handled and fermented separately in different fermentation vessels. The ageing took place in a combination of 4th and 5th fill barrels and Nico Vello cement tanks. Using different vessels ensures that each block’s unique characteristics are captured and emphasized. Because no two vintages are alike, blends and cultivar percentages will differ from year to year.

in the cellar : All of the components and vineyard blocks used to create the Cape of Good Hope Western Slopes blend are handpicked at their
optimum ripeness and processed separately. The blend’s composition may vary slightly from year to year because no vintage is identical, and certain cultivars may perform better in certain years. The components undergo fermentation in a combination of stainless-steel tanks and Italian cement tanks (Nico Velo) following sorting by the optic sorting machine. These various fermenting tanks add depth to the wine and highlight the unique characteristics of each block. For 16 to 18 months, the wine was matured in fourth- and fifth fill French oak barrels as well as stainless steel tanks. Blends and cultivar percentages will differ each year, seeing that no vintage is ever the same..

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