Alto Cabernet Sauvignon 2016 | 10-year release vintage
The Alto Cabernet Sauvignon 2016 is Classic Helderberg packed with dark fruits and berries and a hint of liquorice.
Subtle with velvety lush tannins and the potential to age for decades.
Vinification
The grapes were harvested by hand at the end of March at 24º to 26º Balling. After destalking and crushing, the mash was fermented in stainless steel tanks at 25º to 27ºC, using the selected yeast culture. The juice was separated from the skins after 14 days. After malolactic fermentation, the wine was racked into first-, second- and third-fill French oak barrels and matured for 18 months.
Viticulture
This wine is made from grapes of north-facing vines, between 10 and 16 years old, that grow in decomposed granite soils and clay subsoil situated at altitudes of 135m to 500m above sea level. The vines on the higher slopes are fanned by the cooling maritime breezes from nearby False Bay. A seven-wire Perold trellising system is used, which yielded an average of 8 tons per hectare.