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.

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.