Strydom Rex Cabernet Sauvignon 2020

Rex: Latin for ‘The King’

Kleur: diep donkerrood, bijna zwart
Geur: kersen, rijpe bramen, zwarte bessen, anijs, vanille, tabak
Smaak: vol en krachtig, heel sappig, rijpe tannines, cederhout, cassis
Houdbaar: iets koel drinken, houdbaar tot 2032
Lekker bij: steaks, entrecote, gebraden rosbief, lamsvlees, oude Hollandse kazen

Platter’s ****(*) 93/100
Emphatic yet refined 2020 from Helderberg vines. Signature blackcurrant with lead pencil & cigarbox notes from 25% new oak, 18 months. Sappy, dry tannin structure, youthful but inherently poised, augurs well for a decade’s development.

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 FX10 yeast was used for inoculation. Pump-overs started once the cap lifted every 4 hours five times a day with a gentle punch down thereafter. Total maceration was for 16 days. Only 650L/Ton were pressed out after which the wines did the malolactic fermentation in French oak barrels – 30% new. This wine spent 18 months in barrel and was bottled in November 2022.

The 2020 ripening period was characterised by typical dry conditions and moderate temperatures. Carry-over effects from the heat during spring and effective canopies promoted ripening in early cultivars and were therefore harvested much earlier. Sustained, moderate temperatures occurred until the end of March and resulted in effective plant functioning and full maturity in late cultivars