Waterkloof are one of the most exciting producers in South Africa. Living soils and a natural approach to winemaking means that each of the single-varietal wines in the Circumstance range is truly defined by the circumstances influencing the chosen varietal and vineyard blocks, including: soil, aspect, altitude and vintage.
The Circumstance, Cabernet Sauvignon is from a single, windswept, north-facing (more sun exposure) block 270-300m above and a mere 2 miles from The Atlantic. These factors combine to produce low yields, balanced grapes and wines with a true sense of place. Production was a miserly 4 tons per hectare. Grapes are hand-harvested and brought to the cellar by horses for hand-sorting. De-stemming and sorting takes place and fermentation happens spontaneously with wild yeast in large, open-top wooden fermenters. Manual punch-downs or foot-pressing takes place 1-2 times per day and the wine is left on skins for 35 days before going through malolactic fermentation in mainly old barriques then ageing for 20 months in the same vessels. No fining, just a light filtration.
On the nose there is ample complexity with notes of pencil shavings, ripe blackberry and spice. A rich, succulent wine with lush blackurrant pastille fruit and smooth, fine tannins. Supple, concentrated and complex with fresh acidity on the long, complex finish.
Waterkloof achieved Biodiversity Champion status in 2008 which complements and integrates many key principles of biodynamic farming they have since converted the vineyard to these practices and in 2012 full certification was complete.
