Strydom Épice Cabernet Franc 2020

Kleur: ondoorzichtig rood
Geur: zwart en rood fruit, hartig, kruidig (tijm en rozemarijn) en hint van rode paprika
Smaak: vol, krachtig, veel maar rijpe tannine, kruidig, veel lengte
Houdbaar: om nu te drinken, tot 2030 te bewaren
Lekker bij: ribeye steak, lamsrack met mediterrane kruiden, wilde eend, Boeuf Bourguignon, cassoulet, chili sin carne, geroosterde paddenstoelen, belegen en oude kazen (Comté, Manchego of Cheddar)

100% Cabernet Franc

Vinification
The grapes were hand-picked during the morning. In the cellar, after sorting, and no crushing the whole berries were conveyed into the open fermentation tank. Laffort FX15 yeast was used for innoculation. Pump-overs started once the cap lifted every 4 hours 4 times a day with a gentle punch down thereafter. Total maceration was for 14 days. Only 650L/Ton were pressed out after which the wines did the malo-lactic fermentation in 2 300L French oak barrels – 50% new. This wine spent 18 months in barrel and was bottled in November 2021.

Rianie tasting note: This is a medium-bodied Cabernet Franc with flavours of red berries, roses, hints of herbs and touches of vanilla and spice after the 18 months maturation in 50% new French oak. The palate shows fine-grained tight tannins with pure fruit and a dry finish.

Robert Parker 93/100
The Strydom 2020 Stellenbosch Épice Cabernet Franc reveals a pretty core of dark fruit with purple currants, juicy blackberry, spice, white pepper and cooked raspberry with the pie crust. You need to give it extra time to evolve and aerate. Cabernet Franc is one of vintner Rianie Strydom’s favorite varieties, and starting in 2023, the wine will be made exclusively with her own estate-grown fruit.

Platter’s 89/100
From warmer slopes of Stellenbosch Mountain, aptly named 2020 emphasises cab franc’s spice in its fragrant array of red & dark fruit. Some savouriness, too, & chalky dry tannins from 18 months in oak, half new. Very young still, merits cellaring.