Franschhoek Cabernet Sauvignon Boekenhoutskloof 2021

Boekenhoutskloof Franschhoek Cabernet Sauvignon, Franschhoek Valley, South Africa, 2021   

Grapes: 88% Cabernet Sauvignon and 12% Cabernet Franc, organic, hand picked, oak aged

Producer Tasting Note:

The nose is gentle and intriguing, yet utterly complex, with its classic black fruit character, graphite, and an attractive herbaceous streak, while showing complex exotic spices at the same time. The palate is vibrant, with beautiful blue fruits following through. Flavours of black currant, red liquorice, fresh figs and nuances of clay dust and leather bring complexity to a very precise, seamless wine with good tension. The wine is medium to full-bodied, with a fresh acidity and lithe, cocoa powdery tannins. Pencil lead and tight spicy French oak notes linger on a poised finish.

From two home farm vineyards planted adjacent to one another rooted in deep alluvial soils in the valley. Slopes of decomposed granitic soils. Includes a small amount of Cabernet Franc. Organically farmed for the past 13 years. This particular vintage will be remembered for its small berries and notably diminished yields. Grapes were picked by hand then destemmed. The grapes underwent a cold maceration in tulip-shaped concrete vessels, and fermentation took place at temperatures of 27–30 °C, with frequent pumpovers to extract aromas, colour and tannins. After spontaneous alcoholic fermentation, a prolonged malolactic conversion occurred naturally in 225-litre barriques. The wine was matured on their OXOline system (where the barrels can be rotated for 22 months in 95% new light-toast, long-seasoned French oak from Sylvain and Saury.

This particular vintage will be remembered for its small berries, characterised by a reduced juice-to-skin ratio, exceptional quality and notably diminished yields.

Critics' Tasting Notes:

"Deep crimson. Vibrant and deep aroma of blackcurrant and blackcurrant bud, the latter adding a delicate leafy freshness. Rich, powerful and obviously oaky on the palate but the depth of fruit can take it. Firm, smooth tannic texture, really smooth for such a young wine. Excellent fruit purity even if the chocolate-like notes of the oak are present on the finish. Surprisingly approachable now (though better with another year or two in the bottle) but should have a long life ahead." Drink 2024-2036

17/20 points, Julia Harding MW, JancisRobinson.com, May 2024

"Boekenhoutskloof's Franschhoek Cabernet Sauvignon is picked two weeks later than its Stellenbosch stable mate and is a fresher, more refined wine. Benefitting from the inclusion of 12% Cabernet Franc from the vines around the winery, it has aromas of graphite, violet and eucalyptus, palate-caressing, granular tannins and red berry and blackcurrant leaf flavours." Drink 2024-2035

96/100 points, Tim Atkin MW, March 2023