Colour: Dark, rich colour

Bouquet: Good combination of dark and red fruit flavours. Red cherries, cassis and plums with Helderberg fynbos aromas and a hint of chalky minerality.

Taste: Complexity and richness running parallel to elegance and finesse. The palate shows refined yet grippy tannins from the great 2017 vintage.

2022

• Decanter – 91 points

2021

• Veritas gold, 91 points
• Platters 4 stars
• Wine mag rating – 92 points
• Global Cabernet Sauvignon Masters – Gold
• Novare terroir district award for Stellenbosch
• Michelangelo International wine and spirits award Gold
• 93 points Tim Atkins South Africa report

2020

• Michelangelo Tsogo Sun Hotels Trophy Awards
• Veritas Double Gold
• Platters 4 star
• Winemag rating – 91 points

2019

• Veritas Gold
• Winemag rating – 91 points

Excellent enjoyed on its own or served with red meat dishes like ostrich kebabs, fillet, lamb or casseroles.

Alcohol: 14.8% by vol

Residual sugar: 3.5 g/l

Total acidity: 6.1 g/l

pH: 3,60

Extract: 36 g/l

Alto, situated on the slopes of the Helderberg Mountain in the Stellenbosch district, dates back to 1693 when it was part of a much larger farm called Groenrivier (Green River), granted to a free burgher by Governor Simon van der Stel. In 1919 the owner of the farm, Hennie Malan, sold off half the land to his brother-in-law and set about planting vines on his remaining portion, focusing exclusively on red varieties. He named the farm Alto, a reference to its altitude (some slopes rise as high as 500m above sea level) and his striving for excellence. The cellar was built in 1920. Alto has 93 hectares under vines. The trellised vineyards cling to the high granite slopes, ideal for the cultivation of red wine varieties. Harvesting at Alto traditionally only starts at the end of February / beginning March due to the cooling influence of the southerly breezes during this time. This ensures gradual ripening of the grapes and contributes to the development of delicate flavour in the fruit.