2021 Waterkloof Circumstance Cabernet Sauvignon

Waterkloof, founded by Frenchman Paul Boutinot, is located in the Helderberg ward, within the Stellenbosch district. The vineyards are situated just a few kilometers from the Atlantic Ocean. Paul and his right-hand man, Christiaan Loots, cultivate organic and biodynamic practices, and the vineyards are only accessed by horses, not tractors. In just a few years, Waterkloof has built a strong reputation. Upon entering the farm, you'll see cows, pigs, sheep, goats, chickens, and horses, which we use for manure, weed control, and many other purposes. The soils are chemical-free and kept healthy by using plant extracts, fungi, and bacteria from our own natural compost. By healthier soils, we mean vines with roots that dig deeper than 5 meters, which truly expresses the terroir.

A cross between Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon is the world's most famous red wine grape and is hailed as the king of red wines for its superb structure. With its small, thick-skinned berries, it is rich in color and tannins. The vineyard used for Circumstance Cabernet Sauvignon is located on the northwestern slopes of Schapenberg, at an altitude of approximately 270 and 300 meters above sea level, just 5 kilometers from the Atlantic Ocean. Strong southeasterly winds help control growth and crop yield. Soils are of decomposed granite origin with fine sandy/loam topsoil and medium-sized stones, which aid both drainage and moisture retention. Production was approximately 3 tons/ha.

At Waterkloof, we pride ourselves on not spraying chemical herbicides or pesticides in our vineyards. We produce our own compost and biodynamic preparations, which we then apply with our workhorses, as opposed to heavy tractors. These practices create loose, vibrant soil where the vines can spread their roots freely, absorbing everything they need from our rich and complex soil. We believe that biodynamic farming and winemaking contribute to terroir-driven wines that are truly made in the vineyard.

Harvesting is done according to taste, and considerable time is spent in the vineyards to observe how the flavors develop. The grapes are destemmed, hand-sorted, and gravity-fed into wooden fermenters. Natural fermentation begins spontaneously, utilizing the wild yeasts present on the fruit.

During fermentation, punchdowns (twice daily) were used to ensure gentle and slow extraction of color and tannins. The wines remain on the skins for 30 days to help integrate the tannins and stabilize the color. The skins are separated from the juice by gravity flow. The wine underwent malolactic fermentation in barrel and was then aged for 21 months in new (9%), second-, and third-year French oak.

This Circumstance is a distinctly cool-climate Cabernet Sauvignon (Bordeaux!) with prominent notes of red berries, balanced by a hint of cumin. The palate displays great focus with exceptionally refined tannins and great length. This Circumstance Cabernet Sauvignon is a perfect companion for a variety of dishes, such as T-bone steak on the braai (barbecue) or slow-cooked lamb shank.

FACT: In the tab: Attachment, you'll find the official fact sheet for this fine wine. We'll automatically send it to you when you order this wine. The wine is stored in our climate-controlled Wine Warehouse, and if you pick it up, you'll also receive a nice discount.