Producer
If the coastal areas of Constantia and Stellenbosch resemble temperate French wine regions, Darling’s fierce climate has more in common with Spain. Gnarled bush vines push their roots down eight metres into the soil in search of moisture, while the summer sun impels the grapes to concentrated ripeness. This is not white wine territory, but the results for reds are brilliant: heady blends of fruit and savoury flavours, firm ripe tannins, and fresh acidity preserved by the cool night-time temperatures. Cloof is an exemplary ambassador for this exciting region, both for the quality of its wines and its overall approach: the winery has just earned the coveted ‘Biodiversity Champion’ title for its commitment to preserving the local environment.
Vineyard
Tiny yields of mature bush vines growing under extreme conditions provide the grapes for this wine. The vineyards were planted in 1976 and 1987, and the soils are decomposed granite and oakleaf. The exposure is to the east, and the vineyards a mixture of sloped and level. The grapes were harvested at the end of January.
Winery
After a four-day cold soak at 10oC, the must was inoculated and then fermented for a further four days on the skins at 30°C, with twice daily pumpovers before pressing. The wine was aged for twelve months in French oak barrels, a mix of first, second and third-fill, before blending and bottling.
