Eikendal Cabernet Sauvignon

VINTAGE: 1995

DESCRIPTION: The Cabernet Sauvignon has an intense ruby red color, a fruity bouquet and a full-bodied, forward character with ripe berry flavors. It has excellent aging potential – at least ten years.

ORIGIN: Stellenbosch

CLIMATE: Mediterranean – dry warm summers and cold wet winters. Eikendal lies close to the sea, enjoying the benefits of both the cooling south-east breezes from nearby False Bay, and the gentle warmth of the afternoon sun.

SOIL: The Cabernet Sauvignon vine finds its ideal habitat in the gritty soil and dry climate of the Cabernet Sauvignon vineyards.

YIELD: Yield is low – not exceeding 50 hectolitres per hectare – but the quality is outstanding. Twelve hectares are under Cabernet Sauvignon. Earlier plantings of the "old" clones traditional to the Cape give the wines structure and depth. They have been rejoined by recent plantings of the new clones, yielding riper fruit and concentrated flavors.

VINIFICATION: The prolonged, temperature-controlled fermentation with skin contact is followed by 15 months of barrel aging and subsequent bottle maturation.

CHEMICAL ANALYSIS:

Alcohol: 12.50% / Vol

pH: 3.57

Total Acidity: 5.5

Sugar: 1.3