Ernie Els - 'Signature' Cabernet Sauvignon, Stellenbosch - 2016 (750ml)

Wine Composition

60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc, 5% Malbec & 5% Petit Verdot  

Winemakers Comments

Notes of menthol and a touch of eucalyptus add a fresh counterpoint to the dark, brooding fruit, typical of this vintage. Warm oak notes add gravitas and a luxurious attraction to the nose. It leads to a palate that teems with rich fruit and notes of cherry tobacco, with a further herbal edge and grippy lead pencil on the finish. A touch leaner than other vintages, this wine is nonetheless sumptuous, with dry, defined tannins and a silky, yet serious end. It will require a year or so for the lick of oak to amalgamate. 

Awards

Tim Atkin | 93 points

Technical Analysis

Alcohol Percentage

14.92%

RS

2.4 g/l

TA

6.4 g/l

pH

3.6 

Vineyards/Vintage

All fruit was sourced from the Ernie Els Wines property whose vineyards grow on the warm north-facing slopes of the Helderberg region within the Stellenbosch appellation. The Hutton Clovelly soils contain a high gravel content which offers rich middle palate weight giving this wine exceptional depth and fruit purity. Each variety is separately managed to create unique and varied flavour profiles for this classic, ‘Medoc-style’, Bordeaux blend. With an altitude of approximately 250 metres above sea level together with the cooling influence of the Atlantic Ocean just 15 kilometres away, this extends the ripening period by up to 3 weeks resulting in lovely phenolic ripeness.   

Cellar Techniques

The grapes are hand-picked in the cool of early morning. Whole berries are fermented in open-top tanks and barrels with intermittent pump-overs and punch downs to ensure a balance between flavor, color and tannin extraction from the skins. All ferments are meticulously monitored during fermentation to ensure that all the natural aromas and flavors are preserved and highlighted as required. After primary fermentation, some tanks and barrels will undergo extended maceration as required.

Winemaker

Name - Louis Strydom

Winery

As one of South Africa's leading ambassadors and one of the most recognizable faces in the world of sport, it is befitting that Ernie chose Stellenbosch to produce his wines. In 1999 the concept of Ernie Els Wines was born and with the help of award-winning winemaker Louis Strydom, they produced the maiden, 2000 vintage of Ernie Els - a 'classic' Bordeaux blend. The marketing synergy between the wine and Ernie's 'classic' golf swing were apparent. The intention from the outset was to focus on delivering a quality product that could hold its own in the company of the world's finest wines. Naturally, the plan was to start on a small scale, ensuring the packaging and presentation, marketing and distribution, were of a standard that was in-line with their vision for a premium product.
While men may dream different dreams, they are driven by the same quest: to reach for, and to accomplish perfection. No two pursuits bare the truth of this more than the perfect round of golf and the perfect bottle of wine. Ernie Els' life has mirrored a passion for excellence, which has been clearly reflected in his exceptional sporting achievements. His focus, discipline, and commitment have been the foundation of his success, and these factors are evident in his quest to produce premium wine.