Music Room

Cabernet Sauvignon

Every year we court disaster with the weather, leaving the grapes to hang long past when it is safe for grapes to be out and about. We just pray each day the next hot, dry north wind isn’t going to blast it flat and shrivel the berries beyond recognition.

The resultant aromas and flavours of these heroic vineyards are expressed more as complex, ethereal summer fruits like strawberry, cherry, and black-ripe youngberry. This density of red berry flavours is framed by herbs like fennel and fresh thyme. The bitter chocolate notes and hint of vanilla come from the barrels we use which are hand-coopered to our exacting specifications in a variety of small, family-owned cooperages in Bordeaux and Napa Valley. The tannins are almost creamy in texture. This is directly the result of our ancient, manual practice of gently hand-plunging the fermenting cap down. The serious palate weight is usually balanced by enough natural acidity to compliment intensely flavoured, rich food. There’s nothing vulgar or coarse about the tannins, aromas or flavours from this block. Rather they are focused, fine and vivid like a victorious, battle-weary General’s vision of his beautiful, young wife – and visa versa.

Tasting Description

Deep purple colour. On the nose summer fruits, cassis, fennel and the faintest hint of basil, all wrapped up in serious, warm toasty oak. The palate is all about chunky, chewy, magically integrated tannin. This rewarding mouth-feel is complemented by concentrated flavours of youngberry, wild mint and blueberry. A block-buster cabernet.

Vintage

2004

“Wine of Origin”

Western Cape – Elim 68%, Voor-Paardeberg 16%, Robertson 11%, Coastal Region 5%

Cellar

Flagstone Winery

Wine Maker

Bruce Jack

Cabernet Sauvignon 2004

Cultivars

Cabernet Sauvignon 95%, Merlot 5%

Food Pairing

Rack of Karoo lamb and pan-wilted garden fresh spinach.

Analysis

Alc: 14.2%
TA: 6 g/l
pH: 3.57
RS: 2.2 g/l