Colour:Deep garnet.

Bouquet:Graphite, Fynbos and autumnal fruit.

Taste:Deep flavours of dark berry and plum off-set by pine-needle and pencil shavings.  Tannins are sleek, muscular and complex offering a full and complete flavour profile.

Food pairing:A wine with an unforgettable presence. Excellent enjoyed on its own or served with dishes such as sautéed pork chops served with fennel or a wild-mushroom ragù served with pappardelle pasta and parmigiano cheese.

2022

• James Suckling – 94 points

2021

• Platters 4 ½ stars

2019

• Winemag rating – 90 points
• Tim Atkins SA report – 95 points

Food pairing: Excellent enjoyed on its own or served with dishes such as sautéed pork chops served with fennel or a wild-mushroom ragù served with pappardelle pasta and parmigiano cheese.

Alcohol: 14.5 by vol

Residual sugar: 3,3 g/l

Total acidity: 5.9 g/l

pH: 3,57

Extract: 35

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. Just eight barrels (2400 litres) have been made of the maiden 2011 vintage of the 50/50 blend of Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon. The name MPHS reflects the initials of the four winemakers who have built the reputation of the farm. They are Manie Malan, whose father planted only red cultivars on Alto as early as the 1920s; Piet du Toit, who acquired the farm in 1959; his son, Hempies, the renowned Springbok rugby player, who took over in 1983; and Schalk himself, who joined Alto in 2000.