Alvi's Drift Fusion Reserve Cape Blend

All grapes come from Alvi's Drift's own farm. A strict selection process takes place during the harvest, which takes place early in the morning, so the temperature isn't too high yet.

The signature style of the Reserve Series

The Reserve series showcases the best of the Alvi's Drift harvest. It's a fusion of their signature style of fresh, primary fruit with a touch of the lush, fermented style of their Icon layer. The bottle label features an image of Alvi's Drift, the low-water bridge Albertus Viljoen van der Mewer built in 1928 to make crossing the Breede River easier and safer.

Origin of the South African winery Alvi's Drift

Albertus Viljoen is the official first name of the owner of the South African winery Alvi's Drift in Worcester. The Drift, the low bridge over the Breede River, was built in 1928 by Albertus Viljoen van der Merwe, the grandfather of the current Alvi, to provide better access to his family's farm and agricultural lands on the other side of the river. This water crossing was soon dubbed Alvi's Drift. The current Van der Merwe generation now uses this name as a tribute to their grandfather for the wines they market. With 420 hectares of vineyards growing nineteen different grape varieties, Alvi's Drift is the largest family-owned winery in South Africa. Only grapes from their own vineyards are used. The majority of the vineyards are situated on gentle slopes along the banks of the Breede River. The best vineyards have low-yielding vines. Fertilization of the vines comes from natural compost sourced from the farm.

22 months of maturation for the Fusion Reserve Cape Blend

After fermentation, the wine is aged for twenty-two months in both French and American oak barrels, a third of which are new. The wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinotage, Shiraz, and Petit Verdot, with Cabernet Sauvignon playing the leading role. Pinotage makes up thirty percent. This classic Cape Blend is full of aromas and flavors of ripe blackberries, mulberries, and plums. Notes of vanilla and cashew nuts are beautifully integrated through the oak aging. The wine has a cellaring potential of five to eight years.