ONDINE CABERNET FRANC 2008
Make the most of this wine’s bouquet of herbs and black pepper in a dish such as the typical French Coq au vin – chicken portions slowly simmered in good red wine with baby onions, mushrooms, bacon and fresh herbs like thyme, origanum and Italian parsley. Serve it with crusty bread to mop up the sauce. Alternatively, prepare cubed leg of lamb or the Italian Osso bucco, made with veal shank, in a similar way.
Cabernet franc is often the lesser partner in great blends. Although it is not as well known in South Africa, Cabernet franc wine from our estate has proven to be distinct in aromas and elegant in style. This wine is produced to showcase the unique character.
Description: This wine has an intense bouquet of herbs, pepper and berries reflecting origin and terroir of the Darling appellation. Well integrated ripe tannins allow for a well constructed palate.
Style: Dry Red Wine
Varieties: 100% Cabernet franc
Vinification: The grapes were handpicked at 23,5˚B into small bins. At the cellar it was cooled down to 15˚C, and 20% juice seeped off before fermentation. After three weeks of fermentation, the juice was separated from the skins and pips to limit tannin extraction. This in turn creates a smooth and integrated palate. Plunging of the cap and pumping over of the wine was alternated. The wine was barrel aged for twelve months. Comprising of barrels mostly from the Sylvain cooperage, 50% being new.
Analysis: ALC: 14.5%: TA: 5.6 g/l; RS: 2.8 g/l: PH: 3.54
