The onset of Harvest 2023 in the Southern Hemisphere presents another opportunity for the winemaker at Ernie Els Wines, Louis Strydom, to build on his experience, knowledge and success of his previous twenty-two harvests and continue crafting wines of characteristic style, exclusivity and generosity that are befitting of the property.
Louis’ inaugural vintage was in 2000, producing the now iconic Bordeaux-style red blend, Signature.
Having developed and maintained a well-stocked wine vinothéque on the property, vintages as young as 2001 are still available for purchase at the farm. The wines can be enjoyed while savouring the modern farmhouse-style cuisine in the restaurant or taking in the majestic views of Stellenbosch and the Helderberg Mountain from the tasting room terrace.
A ten-year release programme is also in place, with a very limited amount of Signature 2013 now available for sale exclusively from the winery. This programme was designed to demonstrate the ability of this wine to age effortlessly for a decade or more.
A Flagship Tasting for R165 per person has now been introduced to the warm and welcoming Tasting Room in order to share and showcase the unique and varied flavour profiles of this classic “Medoc-style” Bordeaux blend.
The tasting consists of the current 2016 vintage Signature, awarded 93 points in Tim Atkin’s 2021 South Africa Report, and the newly released 2013 vintage Signature, which also achieved a score of 93 points from Wine Magazine.
What does Harvest 2023 hold for Ernie Els Wines? According to viticulturist Leander Koekemoer, early indications are that the dry soils experienced from August to December slowed the vegetative growth of the vineyard, thereby keeping the berries relatively small, which always makes for excellent, darker, richer wines – a hallmark of the Signature range.
For more information, you can visit their website here.
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