Blink and you'll miss it
When winemaker Johan Joubert introduced his Kleine Zalze Family Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 at a recent tasting, he confessed, “This is probably the greatest wine I’ve ever made.” Coming from a man who has a won a stream of accolades in recent years for everything from his Vineyard Selection Shiraz to his Bushvine Chenin Blanc, it’s a rather bold statement.
The wine is due for release in the coming weeks, ahead of much anticipation – and a growing order list! It’s no wonder really; in 2009 it was a gold medalist in the Old Mutual Trophy Wine Show where it also won the Trophy for Best Cabernet Sauvignon.
Grapes were harvested from three blocks of mature vines, located high up on a hill, where north- and south-facing vineyards grow in lime/clay soils. Following hand-sorting, inoculation, fermentation time on skins, punch downs and malolactic fermentation in barrel, the wine is placed into 100 barrels of first-fill French oak for 16 months. But only 10 or 11 barrels of the best are kept for further oak maturation (four to five months), with the end result being the Family Reserve.
But the proof is in the tasting; herbaceous with ripe cherries and blackberries on the nose. The palate is full bodied, reflecting the ripe fruit herbaceous characteristics found on the nose with a hint of licorice.
Due to be released at around the same time as the Cab is the Family Reserve Shiraz 2007, another winner at the 2009 Old Mutual Trophy Wine Show (gold medalist, winner of the trophy for the Best Shiraz and Best Red Wine Overall).
Johan is as proud of this creation, saying “it’s really tip of the top”. Like the Cab, only 10 out of 100 barrels of fermenting Shiraz juices make the cut, with the chosen few spending an additional four months in new French oak – a total of 20 months. The nose shows typical Shiraz pepperiness and spice, while the palate oozes red fruit and well-integrated, ripe tannins.
Due to be released within the next week, the estimated cellar price for the Family Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz is R200 per bottle. There’s a growing order list for both wines and, since stocks are limited, they are expected to sell out fast.
