WINE TASTING NOTES On the nose, the QR Red Blend 2017 has complex layers of dark berries, ripe plums, cranberries, black olives, leather, vanilla and hints of oak. On the palate, it delivers big, structured layers of fruit, tomato cocktail and wood before finishing with elegant yet lingering velvety tannins. A beautiful example of new-world fruit and old-world elegance.
 
VITICULTURE: The cultivars used in this red blend grow against the north-facing foothills of Simonsberg. Here, the well-drained Hutton and Clovelly soils promote fruit expression in the berries. Because of the vineyards’ elevation, the southwestern winds have a cooling effect in summer, giving the grapes time to ripen at a slower pace.
 
VINIFICATION: After harvest, we processed each grape cultivar separately for fermentation in stainless steel tanks, French oak barrels and concrete open casks. During fermentation, we initially did up to five punch-downs daily, then, for the final fermentation period we only performed gentle pump-overs. The wine was then left on the skins for 21 days of maceration before the grapes were pressed. Afterwards, we pumped the juice into oak barrels for malolactic fermentation and optimal oak integration.
 
MATURATION: The wine was aged in 55% new 225-litre barrels of French oak. After blending and bottling, the wine was bottle-aged for four years.
 
FOOD PAIRING Pair this magnificent red with rich roasted meats or aged Wagyu steaks barbecued on the bone.
 
WINE INFORMATION: Cultivar/s | Cabernet Sauvignon 75% | Cabernet Franc 10% | Merlot 5.5% | Malbec 5.5% | Petit Verdot 4% Vintage | 2017 Origin | Simonsberg Stellenbosch Harvested | March 2017 Bottled | 15 January 2019
 
WINE ANALYSIS Alcohol: 15% Residual Sugar: 2.6g/L Total Acidity: 6.2g/L pH: 3.59