Ernie Els Proprietor's Blend 2017

Baking spices, dark chocolate and black, vibrant fruits hint at the power to follow. Complex aromas of pure cassis, meat and oak spice lead to a well-integrated fruit centre with dense, but finely-tuned tannins. This is a wonderful blend where the components are expressive but well-balanced and the whole is so much more than the parts. Powerful, explosive and medium to full-bodied with the precision of 2017 shining through to a long-defined finish.

The Proprietor’s Blend is a blend of six varieties that are grown on the property. These vineyards grow on the warm, north-facing slopes of the Helderberg region within the Stellenbosch appellation. These particular varieties thrive under these conditions and result in rich full-bodied red wines. With an altitude of approximately 250 metres above sea level, together with the cooling influence of the Atlantic Ocean, the ripening period can be extended, resulting in wines with phenolic ripeness.

The grapes are hand-harvesting in the cool of the early morning. Whole berries are fermented in open top tanks and barrels with intermittent pump-overs and punch-downs to ensure a balance between flavour, colour and tannin extraction from the skins. All ferments are meticulously monitored to ensure that all the natural aromas and flavours are preserved. After primary fermentation, some tanks will undergo extended maceration. Each variety is matured separately in oak before final blending.