# Sophie Cinsaut Cabernet Franc (2021)

- **Producer:** Blackwater Wines
- **Colour:** red
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** Cinsaut, Cabernet Franc
- **Region:** Western Cape, South Africa
- **Style:** Natural
- **Alcohol:** 14.0%
- **Average price:** €40
- **Contains sulphites:** Yes
- **When to drink:** Now or Later
- **Serving temperature:** 16–18 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** violet, blackcurrant, raspberry, boysenberry, smoke, cedar, black tea, leather

## About this wine

The Blackwater Sophie Cinsaut Cabernet Franc 2021 is a red wine from the Western Cape, South Africa. It is a blend of 61% Cinsaut and 39% Cabernet Franc, with the Cabernet Franc sourced from the Helderberg region of Stellenbosch and the Cinsaut from Darling. The wine is named Sophie in honor of winemaker Francois Haasbroek's daughter. Blackwater Wines focuses on minimal intervention winemaking, sourcing fruit from respected vineyards across the Western Cape. This blend is notable for its use of Cabernet Franc in place of Cabernet Sauvignon, a departure from traditional Cape blends, and for combining fruit from distinct Western Cape sub-regions.

## Interesting facts

- Named after winemaker's daughter, Sophie.
- Potentially the first Cabernet Franc/Cinsaut blend in South Africa.
- Cabernet Franc from Helderberg, Stellenbosch.
- Cinsaut from old vines in Darling.

## Food pairing

The wine's medium-plus body, grippy tannins, and dark fruit notes make it well-suited for richer, protein-heavy dishes. The tannins bind with proteins in the meat, softening the wine and enhancing the savory flavors. The fruit and subtle herbal notes can complement earthy ingredients and savory sauces.

## Wine making process

The Blackwater Sophie Cinsaut Cabernet Franc 2021 is produced using grapes from the Western Cape. Fermentation is carried out with native yeasts in small, open-top tubs. The Cinsaut portion undergoes 80% whole-cluster fermentation, while the Cabernet Franc is entirely destemmed. The wine experiences 3-4 weeks of skin contact before being aged for 15 months in French oak barrels, 30% of which are new. The vineyards are managed using organic practices, and the grapes are hand-harvested.