Stark Conde Three Pines Cabernet Sauvignon 2017

Cellar for up to 10 years. No need to decant before serving. The family-run Stark Conde winery has 85 acres of vines in the dramatic Jonkershoek Valley in Stellenbosch where the unique terroir helps craft some of South Africa’s most exciting wines. The steep, rugged nature of the land means that elevation varies drastically across the estate’s vineyard, hitting a high of 600 metres and a low of 150 metres. The family also farms their estate organically to ensure that they produce the very best quality fruit possible. Their Three Pines Cabernet is crafted from fruit from its namesake single vineyard. The grapes are carefully hand harvested and sorted manually to ensure only the best quality fruit goes into this bottling. The young wine is then fermented in open tanks in the traditional style and aged in French oak barrels for 20 months. Following vinification the Cabernet is blended with small quantities of Petit Verdot, Cabernet Franc and Malbec to add extra complexity and polish. Bright blackberry, cassis and plum notes define the nose while the palate offers a generous full body, firm tannins and well-built structure which will respond gracefully to extended cellaring. The bold flavour profile makes this a great partner for barbecued meats, steak or even hearty game dishes like venison.

Price: £29.39 from 8wines UK