Leeu Passant, Stellenbosch Dry Red Wine

Wine Type: Red

Grape(s): 56% Cabernet Sauvignon, 26% Cinsault, 18% Cabernet Franc

Country: South Africa

Region: Stellenbosch

Organic: No

Vegan: Yes

ABV: 14.5%

Tasting Notes: Attractive aromas of cassis, cedar and blackcurrant leaf. The palate is structured and dense with firm, grainy tannins and layered notes of black pepper, tobacco and cherry. The finish is complex, with impressive length.

Winemaking: 50% of the grapes were kept as whole bunches for aromatic lift and tannic structure. The must was initially punched down once a day. After about four days, fermentation began with indigenous yeasts and from then on the cap was punched down twice a day. After fermentation, the wine remained on its skins for two weeks for better integration of tannins. The wine was then pressed to barrel. The wines were racked and blended midway through the year. Maturation was 12 months in 500 litre French oak barrels, of which 30% were new, followed by a further eight months in seasoned 2,000 litre foudres (large wooden vats).