Stellenrust Barrel Selection Cabernet Franc - Often described by famous winemakers as a variety even harder to grow than Pinot noir, we treat this wine and these vineyards with the rightful respect it deserves - an integral part of the Bordeaux symphony, but also capable of producing an orchestra of fruit on its own.

The wine comes from vineyards on the Golden Triangle farm, more than 500 hectares in size and the proud property of Stellenrust, among others. The subsoil of these vineyards is widely regarded as the best terroir for wines in South Africa.

Often described by famous winemakers as a variety even more difficult to grow than Pinot noir, we treat this wine and these vineyards with the rightful respect it deserves - an integral part of the Bordeaux symphony, but also capable of being an orchestra of fruit in its own right.

In the vineyards: The vines used for this wine come from 22-year-old trellised vineyards with a south-eastern slope on our Helderberg property, grown in coffee stone.

In the cellar: Grapes are picked at optimum ripeness in strict accordance with the vintage. In some cases, 24 Balling can be the ultimate ripeness - in other vintages it can be very green. So by not only keeping the vines close to our hearts, but also picking at optimal physiological ripeness, we can capture the wide range of flavours this elegant grape produces. Grapes are crushed and cold-soaked for 1 day. It is fermented in open concrete tanks with regular cap punch-downs for 7 days and completes malolactic fermentation in stainless steel tanks. The wine is then aged for 18 months in small 225-litre French oak barrels.