Groot Constantia Gouverneurs Reserve 2020

Groot Constantia Estate, the oldest wine-producing farm in South Africa was established in 1685. The estate is situated on the Cape Peninsula overlooking False Bay. The vineyards are tucked in the steep valley on the eastern side of Table Mountain. Ninety hectares are under vines (70% red varietals and 30% white), lying 60m to 280m above sea level. Nine different soil types exist on the farm and careful planning ensured the selection of the best possible clones of chosen varietals, in harmony with the specific slopes and soil types.

The philosophy of Groot Constantia Estate is to ‘reflect everything about Groot Constantia in our wine – the character and expression of our terroir, as well as our three-century history’. The estate’s vinous heritage was spotlighted in dramatic fashion recently, when a bottle of the celebrated sweet wine, Grand Constance 1821, was sold at auction for an astonishing R967,300. In most years, nearly  450 000 people visit the estate, their palates comprehensively catered for in the ranges made by Boela Gerber and his eco-minded team.

This flagship red wine of the Estate is a stellar Bordeaux blend of  Cabernet Sauvignon 35%, Merlot 30%, Cabernet Franc 25 %, Petit Verdot 10%. The Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot vineyards are planted on north-facing red, granite-based clay soil. The Cabernet Franc is grown on east-facing yellow-brown duplex soil from sandstone and granite origin and the Merlot is on a south-east facing, deep red, granite-based clay soil. The climate is Mediterranean, with cool breezes from the Atlantic Ocean and an average maximum temperature in summer of 26˚C, with an average night-time low in winter of 8˚C. The long-term rainfall is 1100mm per year.

Blend: Cabernet Sauvignon 49%, Merlot 34%, Cabernet Franc 12 % & Petit Verdot 5%