Premier Cru Set Newcomer Red

Six Newcomers, Six Distinct Styles

This Premier Cru set brings together six exceptional red wines that have recently joined the KAPWEINE portfolio. The range extends from cool Cabernet Sauvignon from Hemel-en-Aarde to biodynamically grown Cabernet Franc and single-vineyard Pinotage, as well as aged Vogelzang from 2014 and Eben Sadie’s wild field blend from the Swartland. Providing a classic counterpoint is the Bordeaux blend from Vergelegen, one of the Cape’s most historic estates. A set for discerning red wine lovers who want to discover new names and new styles in a single evening.

The six bottles in the set

• Restless River Main Road & Dignity Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon from the cool Upper Hemel-en-Aarde Valley, a region otherwise known for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. The Dignity plot dates back to 1998 and is considered the valley’s oldest Cabernet vineyard. Blackberry, graphite, fynbos and licorice, fine-grained tannins and long freshness.
• Beyerskloof Kriekbult Pinotage 2022 Single-vineyard Pinotage from the “Home of Pinotage” in Stellenbosch, made from vines planted at Kriekbult Farm in the foothills of the Simonsberg in 1995. Blackberry, plum, tobacco and earthy spice, full-bodied and velvety. The flagship wine from the house of Beyers Truter.
• Reyneke Cabernet Franc 2023 Johan Reyneke is a pioneer of biodynamic viticulture in the Cape. His single-variety Cabernet Franc from the Polkadraai Hills shows red cherry, violets and damp tobacco, supported by fine tannins. Deliberately aged without new oak to keep the fruit at the forefront. 92 points from Winemag.
• Le Riche Vogelzang 2014 A Cabernet Sauvignon and Cinsault cuvée made in the traditional Cape style and named after one of Stellenbosch’s oldest farms on the Helderberg. Perfectly aged for over ten years: cassis, black cherry, violets and cigar box, velvety and juicy. The Cinsault bush vines date back to 1973.
• Sadie Family Sonvang 2024 Eben Sadie is one of South Africa’s most influential winemakers. Sonvang is a field blend of around a dozen grape varieties planted together in a single Swartland vineyard, including Grenache, Cinsault, Carignan, Pinotage and Alicante Bouschet. Red fruit, rosemary, wild herbs and white pepper, lively and bold. 95 points from Vinous.
• Vergelegen Estate Red 2022 A Bordeaux blend from all the red vineyards of the historic estate in Somerset West, founded in 1700. Plum, cassis, chocolate, graphite and cedar, powerful yet balanced. 5 stars from Platter.

At a glance: 6 x 0.75 l bottles, red wine, South Africa, dry. Best served at 16 to 18 degrees Celsius and ideally decanted.

Vinification

• Restless River Main Road & Dignity Cabernet Sauvignon 2021: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from three estate vineyards at 260 to 400 m above sea level, on weathered granite and claystone, dry-farmed. Hand-picked, fully destemmed, 30% whole bunches. Spontaneous fermentation in open wooden fermenters, hand-pumped over. Basket-pressed and aged for two years in 228-litre barriques (30% new). Upper Hemel-en-Aarde Valley.
• Beyerskloof Kriekbult Pinotage 2022: 100% Pinotage from a single vineyard, with vines planted in 1995. Fermented for four days in open vats at 25 to 28°C, with the cap pressed down every two hours. Malolactic fermentation, 18 months in French barriques (50% new, 50% second fill). Stellenbosch (Simonsberg).
• Reyneke Cabernet Franc 2023: 100% biodynamically grown Cabernet Franc. Aged for 16 months in 225-litre second- and third-fill barriques, without new oak. Stellenbosch (Polkadraai Hills).
• Le Riche Vogelzang 2014: 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Cinsault. Cabernet grown on weathered granite soils (Hutton), Cinsault from 1973 bush vines planted on sand. Fermented separately spontaneously in open concrete tanks. Aged in French oak (25% new) and then blended. Stellenbosch (Helderberg).
• Sadie Family Sonvang 2024: Field blend of around twelve grape varieties planted together, including Grenache Noir, Cinsault, Carignan, Pinotage, Alicante Bouschet, Agiorgitiko and Counoise. The first vintage from this single vineyard, harvested and vinified together. Swartland.
• Vergelegen Estate Red 2022: 66% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc, 6% Petit Verdot. Harvested at varietal ripeness and fermented separately in stainless steel tanks by variety. Aged in barriques of various sizes and oak types. Stellenbosch (Somerset West).

Pairs with: Beef fillet, rack of lamb, game, grilled entrecôte, braised dishes, braai, mature hard cheese, mushroom risotto, truffles, dark chocolate and evenings that call for great red wines.