| Region | |
|---|---|
| Subregion | South Africa |
| Colour | Red |
| Type | Still |
The 2023 Breton is pure Cabernet Franc from Polkadraai with 25% whole bunch, matured 40% in concrete and the rest in used barrels. It has quite an austere nose that demands coaxing, its granitic soils seeming to percolate through the red fruit. Fresh and vibrant, the palate is medium-bodied with crunchy red fruit, chalky tannins and a touch of graphite on the finish. This is what you might call a Loire doppelgänger. 2025 - 2042
This comes from two plots in Stellenbosch and is fermented on skins for 12 weeks ahead of ageing in concrete and some 500 litre barrels. Bright ruby in colour, the nose is quintessential cool Cabernet Franc, with notes of graphite, cranberry and red cherry intermingled with dried rosemary, mint and sage. That mixture of dried herbs and red fruit meets again on the palate, which has a pithy, chalky tructure and juicy acidity. Lithe and fine-boned with a fragrant, edgy fruit character, this is unmistakable in its varietal character and could easily fool someone into thinking it comes from the Loire.
