# The Mentors Petit Verdot (2020)

- **Producer:** KWV
- **Colour:** red
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** Petit Verdot
- **Region:** Western Cape, South Africa
- **Style:** Classic
- **Alcohol:** 14.6%
- **Average price:** €23
- **Contains sulphites:** No
- **When to drink:** Now or Later
- **Serving temperature:** 16–18 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** red cherry, aniseed, violet, plum, black cherry, black plum, cloves, vanilla

## About this wine

The KWV The Mentors Petit Verdot 2020 is a single-varietal red wine from South Africa's Western Cape, specifically the Coastal Region, with potential vineyard origins in Stellenbosch. The 'The Mentors' range is KWV's premium portfolio, dedicated to expressing winemaking excellence and the unique characteristics of exceptional vineyards, reflecting a philosophy of deep respect for terroir. KWV, established in 1918, has a long history of supporting and advancing the South African wine industry. The 2020 vintage in the region was marked by beneficial weather patterns, contributing to the wine's structure and flavor profile.

## Interesting facts

- Petit Verdot is one of the six permitted red grapes in Bordeaux blends.
- This wine spent 18 months aging in French oak barrels.
- The 'The Mentors' range highlights KWV's focus on terroir expression.

## Food pairing

The wine's full body and structured tannins are well-suited to rich, protein-heavy dishes. The intensity of the fruit and spice notes can stand up to robust flavors, while the wine's structure helps to cut through the richness of meats and aged cheeses.

## Wine making process

The production of KWV The Mentors Petit Verdot 2020 begins with hand-sorted, optimally ripe grapes. A two-day cold maceration precedes fermentation with a selected yeast strain, during which pump-overs are employed every five hours. Malolactic fermentation occurs in barrels over three weeks. The wine then undergoes 18 months of aging in French oak barrels, with 70% being first-fill. Some of the best wines were selected for an additional six months of maturation after the initial 12 months.