Reyneke Cornerstone 2020

Cellar for up to 10 years. No need to decant before serving. Johan Reyneke started making his own wines after taking over the running of his family’s farm from his mother in 1998. The 20 hectare estate is ideally placed for premium winemaking thanks to its location close to the town of Stellenbosch overlooking False Bay and the nearby mountains. Johan is committed to working in harmony with nature wherever possible; as well as organic and biodynamic farming methods he uses the estate’s ducks to fertilise the vineyards. Cornerstone is Johan’s interpretation of the classic Bordeaux-style blend. Cabernet Sauvignon is the dominant varietal here along with a healthy dose of Cabernet Franc and a drop of Merlot. This wine has special significance for the estate since the proceeds of its sales all go to supporting farm workers and their families with their education, housing and pension needs. To create a top quality wine the grapes are carefully harvested by hand and sorted prior to fermentation in concrete tanks. The young wine is then matured in French oak barrels for 18 months. This produces an intense, well-balanced Bordeaux blend with a distinctive South African style. The nose is dominated by ripe plums, dark berries and hints of black peppercorns, while the first sip reveals a spicy core with luscious fruit, firm tannins, and a long finish.

Price: £20.63 from 8wines UK