The Terra del Capo Range
White
Terra Del Capo Pinot Grigio 2010
WHERE THE GRAPES COME FROM:
Pinot Grigio is best suited to cool mountain slopes where it produces richly honeyed dry wines. In order to achieve the classic Pinot Grigio characteristics we source grapes from many small blocks that have micro-climates that are perfectly suited to the variety.
MAKING THE WINE:
Produced from handpicked grapes and pressed immediately to avoid any color extraction from the blue/gray grape. A slow fermentation proceeds, to allow time for the true potential of the Pinot Grigio grape to be unveiled.
WINEMAKERS COMMENTS:
Both the nose and palate contain fresh crisp apple, nectarine and peachy fruit salad. There's a pineapple tang and creamy texture in the mouth. The balance between fruit and lively acidity is well maintained with a rich, tropical fruit aftertaste.
Red
Terra Del Capo Sangiovese 2009
WHERE THE GRAPES COME FROM:
Sangiovese can thrive in a variety of soils but its best results are achieved in friable shaly clay. The clayey soils and breaking down ancient sea bed make Darling ideal for Sangiovese. The area experiences long dry summers but with cool sea breezes that originate from the cool Atlantic Ocean.
MAKING THE WINE:
Terra Del Capo Sangiovese is produced from fully ripe grapes picked at 24 Balling. The grapes are gently crushed so that the juice can ferment in large oak fermenters until dry with the skins still on. The grapes are fully pressed and malolactic fermentation proceeds in 500l French oak barrels. Matured in oak for 15 months.
WINEMAKERS COMMENTS:
Abundant raspberry, black cherry and spice with just a hint of licorice evident. Lovely fresh raspberry and black cherry spice makes an immediate impact on the palate. Lovely vanilla oak and nutmeg spice adds complexity to a lighter-styled palate. Pliable tannins make this a lithe, svelte wine rather than a muscular bruiser. There is delicious blackberry ripeness on the lingering aftertaste.
Terra Del Capo Arne
VINEYARDS
The Sangiovese vineyard is situated on a warmer site where afternoon breezes cool the vines, keeping them fresh until morning. The Sangiovese on this farm is known as the easier child of all the blocks, as these vines grow and respond quickly and gratefully to the climate and viticultural practices. Some green harvesting is done in the late season and the vigour and size of bunches, which tend to be big, are managed constantly. The Merlot is from a different farm, which ripens at the same time as the Sangiovese.
VINIFICATION
The grapes were received in refrigerated trucks and cooled overnight in a cold room. After being hand sorted, on a double sorting table the following day, the berries went straight into tank without crushing. The Merlot and Sangiovese grapes were harvested on the same day and were sorted into the same tank, making this a grape blend rather than a wine blend with more integrated flavours and a good structure. The grapes were cold soaked for eight days and after fermentation and some maceration, the wine was transferred into 400 l French oak for malolactic fermentation. The wine was aged in these 400 l barrique for 20 months, and the bottled wine was aged for a further 12 months before being released.
TASTING NOTES
Savoury black olive, white pepper and soy sauce aromatics.
This is a big, bold wine with spicy red fruit, maraschino cherry richness and cashew nut creaminess. Firm structure and frame are enhanced by a dry, tannic grip. Seamless and well crafted it is elegant and genteel yet boasts a good, long finish.
What was once the vision and dream of the late Anthonij Rupert has now become a reality in the form of the Terra del Capo range. His love of Italy, its wines and food and the beautiful combination of both, informed the South African expression of three wines: Pinot Grigio, Sangiovese and a Merlot/Sangiovese blend, the Arne.
