Steenberg Catharina Red 2014

Our 2014 Catharina is an elegant blend of the three French red grape varieties that are grown on the farm. This wine showcases a brilliant dark ruby red colour with subtle earthy and spicy aromas of black olives, dried fynbos, mint, clove and cardamom. The Merlot adds juicy dark cherries to the palate while the Cabernet Sauvignon brings structure and a soft tannin texture. Finally, the Shiraz adds a subtle spiciness on the back palate and contributes to the savoury, smoky tannin finish.


variety : Merlot [ 68% Merlot, 17% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Shiraz ]
winemaker : JD Pretorius
wine of origin : Constantia
analysis : alc : 14.0 % vol  rs : 1.7 g/l  pH : 3.61  ta : 5.4 g/l  
type : Red  style : Dry  body : Full   wooded
pack : Bottle  size : 750ml  closure : Cork  

ageing : This wine is drinking beautifully now and will reward cellaring for up to ten years.

in the vineyard : Soil type Clovelly / Decomposed granite
Trellising Elongated Perold
Age of vine: 12 - 20 years
Pruning Spur - 2 bud
Rootstock Richter 110

about the harvest: 
Harvest Date: March 2014
Yield: 8.5t/ha

in the cellar : Catharina is a barrel selection of the best barrels from each vintage deemed good enough to produce our top estate red. Each cultivar is vinified and aged separately in a traditional red wine making style. On average the grapes were harvested at a sugar level of 23-25°B. The juice was fermented on the skins for 15 – 20 days, allowing the temperature in the tank to peak at 30°C. Air was incorporated during pump-overs which occurred twice per day. After pressing, the wine was transferred to French oak barrels (40% new, 19% second fill, 26% third fill and 15% fourth fill) for malolactic fermentation and maturation of 15 months. The wine underwent a light fining before bottling in August 2015.

find our wines in :

OTHER VINTAGES

Merlot
Merlot
Merlot
Merlot
Merlot
Merlot
Merlot
Merlot
Cabernet Sauvignon
Cabernet Sauvignon
Cabernet Sauvignon
Cabernet Sauvignon
Cabernet Sauvignon
Merlot
Merlot
Merlot
Cabernet Sauvignon
Cabernet Sauvignon