TASTING NOTE
Red berry fruits billow from the glass with classic cigar notes over elegant crushed dried herbs, black cherry and ripe plums with red cherry freshness. The entry is inviting, fresh with a vibrant youthful energy of bouncy red fruit and an earthy undertow. The tannins are still tight, medium bodied and fresh expressing the crystalline character of the 2017 vintage. AsThe Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot vineyards grow on the warm north-facing slopes of the Helderberg region within the Stellenbosch appellation. The Hutton Clovelly soils contain a high gravel content which offers rich middle palate weight giving this wine exceptional depth and fruit purity. With an altitude of approximately 250 metres above sea level together with the cooling influence of the Atlantic Ocean just 15 kilometres away, this extends the ripening period by up to 3 weeks resulting in lovely phenolic ripeness. the wine evolves in the glass there is an attractive tension between red and black fruit with a hint of liquorice over a linear focused and dry finish.
TECHNICAL DATA
92% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Petit Verdot,
Alc 14.43% by Vol. -R.S 3.2 g/l
Aged for 17 months - 300 litre French Oak barrels (20% new).
VITICULTURE
The Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot vineyards grow on the warm north-facing slopes of the Helderberg region within the Stellenbosch appellation. The Hutton Clovelly soils contain a high gravel content which offers rich middle palate weight giving this wine exceptional depth and fruit purity. With an altitude of approximately 250 metres above sea level together with the cooling influence of the Atlantic Ocean just 15 kilometres away, this extends the ripening period by up to 3 weeks resulting in lovely phenolic ripeness.
WINEMAKING
Different hand-picked bunches of the various Cabernet Sauvignon clones, as planted on the estate, arrive at the winery. Great care is taken to ensure that all clones from various block are kept separate. The bunches are sorted, destemmed and berries are sorted again via an optical sorted. The whole berries are fermented in open top tanks. Premium selection grapes from selected parcels within the various clonal blocks are fermented in smaller open fermenters. Intermittent pump-overs and punch downs ensure that right flavours, aromas and tannins are extracted from the berries. All ferments are meticulously monitored during fermentation to ensure the right balance between flavours and tannins are achieved. After primary fermentation some tanks will undergo extended maceration if required. Each clonal batch of Cabernet is maturated separately (micro-vinified) in oak barrels before blending. All these different batches and the various characteristic of the Cabernet clones make up the final blend of Cabernet Sauvignon.
Ernie Els
Through his many travels around the globe Ernie has been exposed to and appreciated some of the world’s greatest wines and in 1999 decided to pursue his developing passion for fine wine with the creation of Ernie Els Wines. Ernie fittingly chose Stellenbosch, the noble heart of South African wine to base his operation. Welcome to Ernie Els Wines!
While men may dream different dreams, they are driven by the same quest: to reach for, and to accomplish perfection. No two pursuits bare the truth of this more than the perfect round of golf and the perfect bottle of wine. Ernie’s life has mirrored a passion for excellence, which has been clearly reflected in his exceptional sporting achievements. His focus, discipline and commitment have been the foundation of his success, and these factors are evident in Ernie’s quest to produce premium wine.
With the help of award-winning winemaker Louis Strydom, they produced the maiden, 2000 vintage of Ernie Els – a ‘classic’ Bordeaux blend. The marketing synergy between the wine and Ernie’s ‘classic’ golf swing were apparent. The intention from the outset was to focus on delivering a quality product that could hold its own in the company of the world’s finest wines. Since its launch, Ernie Els Wines has won plaudits and many prestigious awards around the world and the team continues to make a big impact on both the South African and international wine markets.
For more information visit the website: http://www.ernieelswines.com.
Cabernet Sauvignon
Stellenbosch