# Vintner's Choice Cabernet Sauvignon (2021)

- **Producer:** Kleine Zalze
- **Colour:** red
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** Cabernet Sauvignon
- **Region:** Western Cape, South Africa
- **Style:** Classic
- **Alcohol:** 15.0%
- **Average price:** €19
- **Contains sulphites:** No
- **When to drink:** Now or Later
- **Serving temperature:** 16–18 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** blackcurrant, plum, mint, cedar, dark chocolate, vanilla, coffee

## About this wine

Kleine Zalze Vintner's Choice Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 is a single-varietal wine from Stellenbosch, South Africa. The estate, family-owned and with a long winemaking heritage, emphasizes vineyard-driven quality. The region's proximity to the Atlantic coast influences the growing conditions, while the 'koffieklip' soil contributes to the wine's distinctiveness. The Vintner's Choice designation signifies a careful selection of grapes or a specific winemaking approach.

## Interesting facts

- Grapes grown in 'koffieklip' soil, a unique iron-rich clay.
- Vineyards are just 15km from the Atlantic Ocean.
- Estate has winemaking history dating back to 1695.
- Named 'Top Performing Winery of the Year' by Platter's in 2020.

## Food pairing

The wine's full body and firm tannins are well-suited to complement the protein in red meats, helping to cut through richness and cleanse the palate. The spicy and dark fruit notes in the wine can echo or contrast with the flavors of herbs, spices, and earthy ingredients in the dishes.

## Wine making process

The Kleine Zalze Vintner's Choice Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 is produced using grapes grown in 'koffieklip' soil. Fermentation occurs in open steel tanks, employing regular punch-downs and pump-overs to manage extraction. Following fermentation, the wine undergoes an aging process of 20 months in French oak barrels, comprising both new and used oak. The producer emphasizes sustainable viticultural techniques and yield reduction as core to their winemaking approach.