# Alto M.P.H.S. (2015)

- **Producer:** Alto Estate
- **Colour:** red
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc
- **Region:** Western Cape, South Africa
- **Style:** Classic
- **Alcohol:** 14.8%
- **Contains sulphites:** No
- **When to drink:** Now or Later
- **Serving temperature:** 16–18 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** cedar, blackcurrant, eucalyptus, black cherry, mint, coffee, vanilla, chocolate, cloves, leather, tobacco, earth

## About this wine

Alto M.P.H.S. 2015 is a distinguished red wine from Alto Estate in Stellenbosch, South Africa. The M.P.H.S. designation pays homage to the estate's foundational winemakers: Manie Malan, Piet du Toit, Hempies du Toit, and Schalk van der Westhuizen. The 2015 vintage is recognized for its exceptional quality, described as a 'perfect golf-swing' year where the growing and ripening seasons were particularly harmonious. This vintage also marks a significant moment with Bertho van der Westhuizen taking over winemaking duties from his father, Schalk, symbolizing a generational continuation of expertise. Alto Estate itself boasts a long history, established as a dedicated vineyard in 1919, and is one of South Africa's oldest producers focused exclusively on red wines. The Stellenbosch region provides a renowned terroir, characterized by decomposed granite soils and a favorable climate, which contributes to the wine's robust profile. This wine is considered a flagship offering from Alto Estate, representing the pinnacle of their winemaking tradition and the exceptional character of its origin.

## Interesting facts

- M.P.H.S. name honors Alto's first four winemakers.
- 2015 vintage was a 'perfect golf-swing' year.
- Represents father-son winemaking transition.
- Alto is South Africa's oldest red wine-only producer.

## Food pairing

The wine's structure and tannins complement the richness of proteins, while its complexity can stand up to robust flavors. The fruit notes can harmonize with earthy ingredients like mushrooms and herbs.

## Wine making process

The Alto M.P.H.S. 2015 is crafted through a meticulous winemaking process. Each varietal, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc, is vinified separately. Fermentation occurs on the skins for over seven days in closed stainless-steel tanks at temperatures between 25° to 27°C, utilizing the pump-over method for extraction. After completing malolactic fermentation, the wine is aged for 24 months in new 300-litre French oak barrels. A subsequent 18-month maturation period follows in a mix of first-, second-, and third-fill barriques, with 90% French oak and 10% American oak. The grapes are sourced from vines aged between 9 and 23 years, grown on decomposed granite soils at elevations ranging from 135m to 500m. Vineyard management includes drip irrigation when necessary and the use of a seven-wire Perold trellising system.