Sideways Cabernet Sauvignon

This beautiful South African red wine is made from Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot grapes, giving it its rich, rich flavors. The Wetshof Estate is located in the Robertson wine region, approximately 160 kilometers from Cape Town. Johann de Wet, father of Danie, the current owner of the De Wetshof Estate, laid the foundation for the estate as it is today in 1952. The Robertson Valley is characterized by cold winters and sunny summers with an average annual rainfall of 400 millimeters. In summer, a fresh southerly breeze has a cooling effect on the vineyards, allowing the grapes to ripen evenly and in perfect balance. Nights are cool, and during the summer months, a mist often shrouds the vineyards until late in the morning.

The harvest of the Cabernet Sauvignon from De Wetshof

Cabernet grapes require a slightly warmer climate than Merlot. They also need slightly poorer soil to ripen properly. With Cabernet Sauvignon, proper ripening is only possible with good daytime warmth. Conversely, the grapes require freshness at night in the period before harvest. To achieve the highest quality wine, the grapes are sourced from various vineyards. After a cold maceration, which gives the wine fruitiness and color, they are fermented at a low temperature of 24 degrees Celsius. Twenty percent of the wine is then aged in French oak barrels for eight to ten months. This gives the red wine greater depth and complexity. The rest of the wine is aged in stainless steel with French oak staves, creating a perfect marriage of wood and fruit.

What does the Sideways Cabernet Sauvignon taste like?

On the nose, this Sideways has aromas of sweet plums and a light spice, currants, berries, and raspberries—in short, a delightful aroma! This red Sideways Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot is deliciously robust yet very smooth. Beautiful, rounded flavors of black fruit, cherries, and plenty of spice—delicious! The finish is ripe and rounded, yet especially smooth.