Additional information
Bottle Sizes | 75cl |
---|---|
Main Grapes | Cabernet Sauvignon |
Origin | South Africa, Stellenbosch |
Other Grapes | Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Petit Verdot |
Vintages | 2015 |
Website | Zonnebloem Wines |
£14.55 / bottle
£165.87 / case (12+ bottles, 5% off)
Bottle Sizes | 75cl |
---|---|
Main Grapes | Cabernet Sauvignon |
Origin | South Africa, Stellenbosch |
Other Grapes | Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Petit Verdot |
Vintages | 2015 |
Website | Zonnebloem Wines |
Zonnebloem Laureat is a classic red wine blend from South Africa, a Cape Blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc.
Zonnebloem is an historic name in the South African wine industry. The farm that would later become Zonnebloem was founded in Simondium, Paarl in 1692. In 1856, then owner Petrus Malherbe divided the farm between his two sons and William Malherbe named his allocation “Zonnebloem” which translates into English as sunflower. The winery passed through various owners and was purchased by the Furter family in 1940 and when Marie Furter took over production she became South Africa’s first female winemaker. In 1963 Zonnebloem was purchased by the large South African drinks company Distell (they also own Nederburg and Plaisir de Merle amongst other properties) and remains in their ownership today. Today the grapes are sourced from 330 carefully chosen plots of vines and the company produces contemporary wines with more than a nod to the classics of the past. Perhaps as an homage to the first lady wine maker of South Africa, Marie Furter, the team at Zonnebloem is all female – Cellar Master Elize Coetzee is joined by Bonny Van Niekerk and Kelly-Marie Jacobs, the red and white winemakers respectively.
Zonnebloem Laureat is the flagship wine in the range and is a Bordeaux-inspired blend. The grapes are sourced from trellised, dryland and irrigated vineyards in the Jonkershoek, Devon Valley, Stellenbosch Kloof and Helderberg areas. Some of the vines are grown under dryland conditions while others are irrigated. Mostly south-west facing, they derive the maximum benefit from cooling maritime breezes that contribute to slow ripening of the grapes and concentrated fruit flavours. After harvest the grapes are crushed and undergo a period of cold-soaking for a few days to ensure maximum colour extraction while limiting the extraction of harsh tannins. During the first three days of fermentation, the skins were vigorously punched down while from the fourth day the fermenting wine was aerated. After fermentation the free-run wine was drawn off into 300-litre barrels and allowed to undergo malolactic fermentation. Thereafter the different wines were tasted and the type of wood for maturation selected based on the style of the wine. The barrels were a combination of first- and second-fill French and Hungarian oak. After 14 months a final selection of the best barrels was made and the wine blended and bottled.
The Zonnebloem Laureat 2015 is a blend of 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot, 10% Petit Verdot and 5% Cabernet Franc.
Zonnebloem Laureat has a intense ruby red colour. The nose has enticing aromas of ripe plums, berries and Turkish delight chocolate, followed by a hint of spice and black pepper nuances. The palate is full-bodied and fruit-driven with abundant flavours of red berries, plums, blackcurrant, hints of dark chocolate and cedar wood. The structure is well-balanced with juicy, yet firm tannins and a long, lingering finish.
Serve Zonnebloem Laureat is excellen on it own or is great served with rich game dishes, casseroles, roasts and hearty cheeses.
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