THE JOURNEY

We make a wine under the Waterkloof label, only when one of our vineyard blocks on The Schapenberg offers up something extraordinary. We made our first in 2005 – a Sauvignon Blanc. Finally, seventeen years later our best block of Chenin made the grade and so a second was borne from the outstanding white wine vintage of 2021.

Since taking over as winemaker in 2013, having previously been assistant since 2009, Nadia Langenegger and her team have really begun to get the best out of our red grapes. We believe in evolution rather than revolution and a few modifications were implemented, notably, foot-treading to extract the juice and tannin more gently. Hard work indeed, but also quite fun…well at least the first couple each year are. We have 24 wooden fermenters to get through!

The changes have really paid off. Testament to this improvement was a first Platter’s 5 Star Award for not just one but two of our red wines in 2021 – Circle of Life Red 2019 and The Last of The First Pinotage 2020.

With the long drought having finally broken, tasting the 2020 red wines from barrel we quickly realised that this would be the first vintage to offer up a Waterkloof red. The result? Our vinous apogee, named after the fiercest wind god and face of Waterkloof – BOREAS.

The debut 2020 vintage was released to great acclaim, receiving 94/100 from Tim Atkin MW, 94/100 from Platter’s, 94+/100 from Greg Sherwood MW and a coveted WINE OF THE WEEK from JancisRobinson.com.

The follow-up vintage to be released is the 2023 and the backbone again remains our elegant Cabernet Franc at 58%, ably supported by 30% Merlot and 12% Cabernet Sauvignon.

Offering great enjoyment in its youth, especially once decanted for a couple of hours, BOREAS has a long future ahead and will develop in complexity over the next 10-15+ years.

THE VINEYARD

Size: 4.4 hectares

Ocean Proximity: 5km

Altitude: 240-250m

Exposure: South (Cabernet Franc &  Merlot ) & North (Cabernet Sauvignon)

Windspeed: Hectic

Soil: Decomposed Granite (Cabernet Franc) & Compacted Sandstone (Merlot, Cabernet

Sauvignon)

Farming: Regenerative with no irrigation

Vine Training: Trellised (for support in wind)

Grape Yield: 2tons/hectare

Wine Yield: 17hl/hectare

THE CELLAR

Hand-picked and hand-sorted

Whole bunch (with the exception of Cabernet Sauvignon) wild yeast ferment in old, open-top, French oak foudre.

Foot treading and manual punch-downs

27 months in French oak barriques (10% new) & 7000l old French oak foudre

No additions other than sulphur

10 100 bottles made

THE NUMBERS

ALC: 14%

RS: 1.4

PH: 3.7

TA: 4.7

A TASTING NOTE FROM THE GLASS OF NADIA LANGENEGGER

A refined and aromatic blend, led by Cabernet Franc, offering lifted notes of redcurrant, raspberry, and violets, with underlying hints of graphite, green peppercorn, and dried herbs. The palate is medium-bodied and elegant, with silky tannins and bright acidity. Flavors of tart cherry, tobacco leaf, and crushed gravel unfold with finesse, leading to a long, mineral-driven finish. A wine of poise and complexity, showcasing the floral and savoury charm of Cabernet Franc. Our Boreas 2023 would pair well with roast duck with cherry or plum glaze which enhances the red fruit and spice beautifully.