Simonsig Labyrinth Cabernet Sauvignon 2012

He was early out of the blocks in terms of estate bottled wines and his sons, Johan – Cellarmaster and Francois – Vineyardist, keep up this pioneering tradition.

40 years ago, in 1976, the first Cabernet Sauvignon was produced on the estate. This was followed in 1977, when the Cabernet Sauvignon of that vintage won the General Smuts Trophy for the best Champion Wine of South Africa.

New clones, new vineyard and cellar practices are now producing Cabernets of note. The Stellenbosch Wine Appellation is being recognized for producing fine Cabernets.  The Simonsig Garland from a neighbouring vineyard up the slopes of the Simonsberg is a proud reminder of the best of the best.

The Simonsig Labyrinth Cabernet Sauvignon 2012 comes from vineyards which experience a very dry season prior to harvest, the lowest since that first vintage in 1976 and 33% lower than the estate’s annual average.  This led to smaller berries with more fruit concentration.

After the standard classical elevation in the cellar the wine was matured in both French and American oak barrels mainly 2^nd, 3^rd and 4^th fill with only 1% of the new.

It looks like
Packed in a Bordeaux shaped bottle with an elegant Simonsig label.  In the glass it is a deeply opaque bloodplum colour which pales out to the rim to a ruby garnet.

It smells like
All the cassis, black and blue berries one expects.  Graphite pencil leads.  Cedary oak spice.

It tastes like
A generosity of black fruit, mouth filling with great balance between fruit, oak, acidity and aftertaste. Long lingering aftertaste.