Fleur du CapWines from Cape Coastal Region, South Africa
The Fleur du Cap wines are made from grapes meticulously selected from superior vineyard blocks in the Cape Coastal region and are made in a contemporary style which captures and reflects the highly sought-after qualities of varietal character and terroir. Leading the way, this new generation of wines is crafted in compliance with universal guidelines to ensure environmentally friendly winemaking practices. Winemaker Andrea Freeborough strives to make well-versed wines that reflect minimal intervention in the cellar. Great skill, unwavering dedication and participative team work lies behind the success of the Fleur du Cap wines. Making wine "the way Mother Nature intended" requires greater care from the winemaking team as each step of the intricate winemaking process has to be gently and sensitively handled to produce wines that express their terroir and varietal character. Backgrounder
The Fleur du Cap Country Estate is situated along the banks of the Lourens river, outside Somerset West. The estate was once part of the farm Groenendal, granted in 1700 to Willem Adriaan van der Stel, Governor of the Cape of Good Hope. Today Fleur du Cap houses a rootstock mother plantation where about 11 000 rootstock vines are located, providing phylloxera-free root material onto which selected clone material is grafted as the first stage in the making of the Fleur du Cap wines. These grafted vines are planted out in selected vineyard sites in the Coastal Region. The sites were selected to ensure optimum conditions regarding soils, climatic conditions and location. Winemaker: Red WinesJustin Corrans has just joined the successful team at The Bergkelder as newly appointed winemaker of red wines. Although this young winemaker is extremely enthusiastic about the wine industry, it is his fascination with the natural sciences especially biochemistry and microbiology that drew him into the cellar. “Because winemaking is extremely creative, it gives me the opportunity of being an inventive scientist in the cellar whilst working in a passionate, sociable industry,” says this intrepid winemaker. After qualifying with an Honours degree in Wine Biotechnology and studying research at the Institute for Wine Biotechnology in Stellenbosch, Corrans started his career as assistant red winemaker for Zonnebloem wines before joining The Bergkelder. Heading the red wine team, his responsibilities include red wine production and the management and control of barrel maturation for the prestigious Fleur du Cap range of wines. Corrans’s philosophy towards winemaking is one of simplicity and precision. He strongly believes that the vineyards are everything and good wine stems from good grapes. “Good grapes need gentle cohesion to become great wines, but producing great wines from mediocre grapes involves a scientific approach and good winemaking intuition,” he said. The change of seasons has as much influence on his hobbies as it does on the vines. When the sun is shining you can catch Corrans on the beach with his surf ski and surfboard and in winter he enjoys riding his mountain bike. These adventurous sports obviously result in injuries which give him enough time to read and enjoy “coffee culture” while recovering. Personal Perspective “South Africa makes great Shiraz and Bordeaux style blends and it is a pleasure to make and drink these wines. For me the greatest fulfilment is to see the fruits of my labour – nothing is more satisfying than to have a special dinner and to share a terrific bottle of wine that you crafted yourself with good company.” Winemaker: White WinesKobus Gerber joined the team at The Bergkelder in 1990 and has been responsible for the white wine production and the management and control of barrel maturation for the prestigious Fleur du Cap range of wines since the beginning of 2002. Gerber is entrusted with approximately 10 000 tons of grapes each season to produce exceptional quality wooded and unwooded Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Chenin Blanc and Viognier for the Fleur du Cap and Fleur du Cap Unfiltered ranges. Together with viticulturist Bennie Liebenberg, he manages the vineyards for these ranges and is currently involved in the quest for new vineyard sites, vineyards and vinification for the establishment of an icon white wine for Distell. Pure talent and dedication as a winemaker have earned Gerber a number of prestigious awards. He bagged two Double Gold and four Gold medals at the 2004 Veritas Awards – the Double Gold medals were awarded to Fleur du Cap’s lightly wooded Chenin Blanc 2002 and Chenin Blanc 2004, while the 2003 Chenin Blanc earned a Gold medal. The three other Gold medals went to Fleur du Cap Noble Late Harvest 2003, Fleur du Cap Unfiltered Sauvignon Blanc Limited Release 2004 and the Limited Release blend, Fleur du Cap Unfiltered Viognier Chardonnay Sauvignon Blanc Semillon 2003. Other recent awards include 2003 and 2004 Rendez-vous du Chenin recognition for the 2002 and 2003 Chenin Blanc, four stars for the 2002 Chenin Blanc at the 2004 WINE Magazine TOPS at SPAR Chenin Blanc Challenge, a Gold medal for the 2002 Unfiltered Chardonnay at the 2004 Chardonnay-du-Monde. Before joining the Bergkelder, Gerber worked as assistant-winemaker at Saxenburg wine estate for two seasons. His overseas experience includes eight weeks harvesting a vintage as visiting winemaker in Bordeaux. In addition to his responsibilities at Distell, Gerber has served as a tasting panel member for the National Young Wine Show and the Wine and Spirits Board. He is also a member of the Chenin Blanc Association, the Sauvignon Blanc interest group and belongs to the Clive Torr Ten of the Best Wine Club. Personal Perspective “I am a young passionate winemaker who believes good wine is made in the vineyard with minimal human intervention. I sincerely believe South Africa offers high quality wines to palates around the globe. Sauvignon Blanc is my passion and produces the most stunning wines. My goal is to make an icon South African wine.” Current VintagesCabernet Sauvignon 2007
Terroir Climate, soil, altitude and slope orientation are selected to capture as much varietal character as possible. The climate is mild with south and east facing slopes offering protection against late afternoon sun. Cooling breezes from the Atlantic Ocean ensure rich, slow growing crops. Soils are predominantly medium-textured and well drained with good water holding capacity. Winemaker NotesThe Vineyards (Viticulturist: Bennie Liebenberg)The grapes were selected from vineyards in the Stellenbosch area. The 16-year-old vines produced a yield of 6 to 8 tons/ha. The five-wire hedge system was used for trellising and pest and disease control was implemented according to South African IPW standards Winemaker’s Comments (Winemaker: Justin Corrans) The wine is intense ruby red in color with an overlay of concentrated fruity aromas complemented by hints of vanilla. On the palate the wine shows ample prune and cherry flavors with a good tannin structure. Tasting NotesIdeal with game meat and birds. A perfect accompaniment to hearty stews, strong-flavored herbs and cheeses.WinemakingThe grapes were handpicked at 25º Balling during the middle of March. In the cellar the juice was inoculated with select yeast. It was fermented on the skins for seven days at 28º C with three pumpovers a day. After malolactic fermentation the wine was matured in wood for 12 months — 30 percent in new French oak casks, 5 percent in new American oak casks, 40 percent in second-fill casks and 25 percent in third-fill casksTechnical Information
Chardonnay 2008The continued success of the Fleur du Cap range of wines is the result of a team approach at The Bergkelder that starts with meticulous vineyard selection and is driven by an overriding passion for winemaking and constant experimentation to create new generation of superior quality wines. The wines are shaped in perfect harmony with the forces of nature—Earth, Sun, Wind and Water—to capture the highly sought after qualities of varietal character and terroir.Terroir Climate, soil, altitude and slope orientation are selected to capture as much varietal character as possible. The climate is mild with south- and east-facing slopes, offering natural protection against late afternoon sun. Cooling breezes from the Atlantic Ocean ensure rich, slow growing crops. Soils are predominantly medium textured and well drained with good water-holding capacity. The Vineyards (Viticulturist: Bennie Liebenberg) The grapes were selected from vineyards in the Stellenbosch, Somerset West, Franschhoek and Malmesbury areas. These six- to 14-year-old vineyards were trellised according to the five-wire hedge system and produced a yield of 4 to 8 tons/ha. Pest and disease control were implemented according to South African subjective IPW standards. The Winemaking The grapes were handpicked at optimum ripeness from mid February to early March between 23 to 24ºB. After crushing the grapes and pressing, the juice was clarified before it was racked and fermented in tanks down to about 18° Balling. It was then transferred into barrels and fermented in 60 percent French oak, 10 percent American oak and 30 percent staves. The wine was left to age in wood on the lees for 6 months with battonage (lees stirring) every second week to enhance flavor and mouth feel. Winemaker’s comments (Winemaker: Pieter Badenhorst) On the nose this Chardonnay displays citrus fruit and melon with a hint of vanilla oak in the background. On the palate it is dry but rounded and packed with apricot and citrus fruit, supported by lovely nut and vanilla oak . It will mature well over the next two to four years. Food Pairings The Chardonnay is an ideal accompaniment to sushi, oysters and full-flavored fish such as tuna and salmon. It also is excellent with pasta or white meat dishes in rich, creamy sauces. Technical Information
Chenin Blanc 2008The continued success of the Fleur du Cap range of wines is the result of a team approach at The Bergkelder that starts with meticulous vineyard selection and is driven by an overriding passion for winemaking and constant experimentation to create new generation of superior quality wines. The wines are shaped in perfect harmony with the forces of nature—Earth, Sun, Wind and Water—to capture the highly sought-after qualities of varietal character and terroir.Terroir Climate, soil, altitude and slope orientation are selected to capture as much varietal character as possible. The climate is mild with south and east facing slopes offering natural protection against late afternoon sun. Cooling breezes from the Atlantic Ocean ensure rich, slow growing crops. The soil is predominantly medium textured and well-drained with good water holding capacity. Winemaker Notes(Winemaker: Pieter Badenhorst)The wine is light yellow in color with green tints. Lightly wooded, this full-bodied wine shows an abundance of guava, ripe melon and honey blossom aromas with subtle oak flavors. On the palate this full-bodied wine displays tropical fruit, butterscotch and vanilla. WinemakingThe grapes were handpicked at 24-25º Balling. After the grapes were crushed and the juice settled down it was racked into a combination of new American Oak, and second- and third-fill French oak barrels. The wine was left to age for three months with regular stirring of the lees to enhance the flavor. Twenty-five percent of the wine was fermented in stainless steel tanks, whilst a portion was whole-bunch pressed.Technical Information
Merlot 2008The continued success of the Fleur du Cap range of wines is the result of a team approach at The Bergkelder that starts with meticulous vineyard selection and is driven by an overriding passion for winemaking and constant experimentation to create a new generation of superior quality wines. The wines are shaped in perfect harmony with the forces of nature to capture the highly sought-after qualities of varietal character and terroir.Climate, soil, altitude and slope orientations are selected to capture as much varietal character as possible. The climate is mild with south and east facing slopes offering natural protection against late-afternoon sun. Cooling breezes from the Atlantic Ocean ensure rich, slow growing crops. The soil is predominantly medium textured and well drained with good water holding capacity. Winemaker NotesThe Vineyards (Viticulturist: Bennie Liebenberg)The grapes were sourced from vineyards in the Stellenbosch and Somerset West areas. The Stellenbosch vineyards were planted in 1992 at altitudes ranging from 210 to 250 meters above sea level. These vineyards are 13 years old and produced a yield of 8 tons/ha. An overhead sprinkler system for supplementary irrigation was put to use while the 5-wire hedge system was used for trellising. Pest and disease control was implemented according to South African subjective IPW standards. The Somerset West vineyard is 8 years old, produced 8 tons /ha and received supplementary irrigation through drippers. The vineyard was established on R99 rootstocks facing South. The vines are trellised on a 5-wire hedge system and are 150 meters above sea level. Tasting NotesWinemaker’s Comments (Winemaker: Justin Corrans)This full-bodied wine is ruby red in colour with ripe berries, subtle cherries and oak spices. On the palate this well-balanced Merlot is an easy drinking yet mouth-filling wine with ample clean soft fruit flavors and an oaky backup with gentle tannins. The Fleur du Cap Merlot 2008 is the perfect partner to spicy Mediterranean food, full-flavored fish, duck or guinea fowl. Technical Information
Pinotage 2008The continued success of the Fleur du Cap range of wines is the result of a team approach at The Bergkelder that starts with meticulous vineyard selection and is driven by an overriding passion for winemaking and constant experimentation to create new generation of superior quality wines. The wines are shaped in perfect harmony with the forces of nature—Earth, Sun, Wind and Water—to capture the highly sought after qualities of varietal character and terroir.Terroir Climate, soil, altitude and slope orientation are selected to capture as much varietal character as possible. The climate is mild with south and east facing slopes, offering natural protection against late afternoon sun. Cooling breezes from the Atlantic Ocean ensure rich, slow growing crops. Soils are predominantly medium textured and well-drained with good water holding capacity. Food pairings This wine is an ideal accompaniment to grilled lamb and poultry, spare ribs, pork roasts and game fish. It is perfect with classic Cape cuisine like Bobotie and Malay Curries, as well as spicy Mexican food. Technical Information
Sauvignon Blanc 2008The continued success of the Fleur du Cap range of wines is the result of a team approach at The Bergkelder that starts with meticulous vineyard selection and is driven by an overriding passion for winemaking and constant experimentation to create a new generation of superior quality wines. The wines are shaped in perfect harmony with the forces of nature to capture the highly sought-after qualities of varietal character and terroir. Terroir Climate, soil, altitude and slope orientation are selected to capture as much varietal character as possible. The climate is mild with south and east facing slopes offering natural protection against late afternoon sun. Cooling breezes from both the Atlantic and Indian Ocean ensure rich, slow growing crops. The soil is predominantly medium textured and well drained with good water-holding capacity. The Vineyards (Viticulturist: Bennie Liebenberg) The Sauvignon Blanc grapes were sourced from vineyards in the Stellenbosch region. All the vines were grafted onto phylloxera-resitant rootstocks and the 5-wire hedge system was used for trellising while supplementary irrigation was given at the varaison. Pest and disease control was implemented according to South African subjective IPW standards. The Winemaking The grapes were handpicked at 22 to 23° Balling during February and March. In the cellar the grapes received no skin contact and were cold fermented between 12º and 14ºC. The wine spent one month on the lees before being blended, fined and filtered for bottling. Winemaker’s Comments (Winemaker: Kobus Gerber) The wine is brilliant green in color with golden specks. On the nose this wine bursts with a rich mélange of tropical fruit flavors, passion fruit and melon. This mouth-filling wine has a crisp acidity that complements the tropical fruit flavors perfectly on the palate ending with a long, lingering aftertaste. Food Pairing This Sauvignon Blanc is the ideal accompaniment to sushi, fresh green salads and poultry dishes. Technical Information
Shiraz 2005
Climate, soil, altitude and slope orientation are selected to capture as much varietal character as possible. The climate is mild with south and east facing slopes offering natural protection against late afternoon sun. Cooling breezes from the Atlantic Ocean ensure rich, slow growing crops. The soil is predominately medium textured and well drained with good water holding capacity. The majority of the grapes were sourced from selected 6-8 year-old vineyards in Stellenbosch, predominantly from the Bottelary hills, but also from the foothills of the Helderberg mountain. This wine also includes some grapes from the Malmesbury area, a region showing huge promise for making expressive red wines. These vineyards are located at altitudes ranging from 110 to 160m above sea level. The vines are grown in deep red decomposed granite, as well as sandy and gravel soils, ideally suited to the cultivation of Shiraz grapes. The warm and dry conditions resulted in a yield of 5 tons/ha of healthy grapes with smaller berries and a favorable skin-to-juice ratio. Pest and disease control was implemented according to South African subjective IPW standards. This wine is an excellent accompaniment to grilled beef, roast lamb and venison. It also complements duck and quail. WinemakingIn the cellar the juice was fermented at 28ºC for 6 days. After malolactic fermentation, the wine was matured for 18 months in a combination of French and American 300-litre oak barrels, using new (29% French and 16% American) and second fill (55%) French casks.Technical Information
Unfiltered Cabernet Sauvignon 2006
Terroir Climate, soil, altitude and slope orientation are selected to capture as much varietal character as possible. Climate is mild with south-and east-facing slopes offering natural protection against late afternoon sun. Cooling breezes from both the Atlantic and Indian Oceans ensure rich, slow-growing crops. Soils are predominantly medium textured and well-drained with good water holding capacity. The Vineyards (Viticulturist: Bennie Liebenberg) The grapes were selected from a southwest-facing single vineyard in the Bottelary Hills region. The vineyard is 12 years old and a yield of 4 tons/ha was obtained. The 5-wire hedge system was used for trellising. Vineyards were cultivated under dryland conditions. Pest and disease control were implemented according to South African subjective IPW standards. Tasting NotesThis robust wine is dark ruby in color with aromas of blackcurrant, dark chocolate and mocha on the nose. This full-bodied wine has a good tannic backbone supported by cherry and plum flavors complemented by a spicy oakiness.Food pairings This complex wine is the ideal accompaniment to fillet of beef and roast lamb but goes equally well with rich, robust dishes and strong-flavored cheeses. WinemakingThe grapes were handpicked at 24º Balling at the end of March. In the cellar the juice fermented on the skins at 28ºC for 8 days. The wine underwent malolactic fermentation in second fill French oak barrels for a month and was racked into new French oak barrels and matured for 16 months at 15ºC. It was racked twice and fining with egg white was done during the last racking. The wine has undergone no filtration or stabilization.Technical Information
Unfiltered Chardonnay 2007Made from superior grapes meticulously selected from prized vineyard blocks in the Cape Coastal region, Fleur du Cap Unfiltered wines are shaped in perfect harmony with nature. Handpicked in the vineyard and handcrafted in the cellar, these new generation wines capture the highly sought-after qualities of varietal character and terroir. Sedimentation, racking and fining as opposed to filtration maximize the preservation of color and flavor elements, resulting in wines that abound with fruit and flavor.Terroir Climate, soil, altitude and slope orientation are selected to capture as much varietal character as possible. Climate is mild with south-and east-facing slopes, offering natural protection against late-afternoon sun. Cooling breezes from both the Atlantic and Indian Oceans ensure rich, slow-growing crops. Soils are predominately medium textured and well-drained with good water-holding capacity. The Vineyards (Viticulturist: Bennie Liebenberg) The grapes were handpicked from two vineyards in the Stellenbosch region. Pest and disease control was implemented according to South African subjective IPM guidelines. The Winemaking The grapes were handpicked at optimum ripeness. In the cellar the grapes were gently pressed and the juice was allowed to settle overnight. Fermentation took place in 35 percent new barrels, 35 percent second fill and the remainder in older barrels. The lees were stirred every two weeks during the nine months the wine spent in the barrel. No malolactic fermentation was allowed. Strict barrel selection took place to ensure a superior product. Winemaker's comments (Winemaker:Pieter Badenhorst) The wine shows a light straw color with green edges. On the nose it shows aromas of citrus, apricot and toasted almonds with vanilla in the background. This medium-bodied wine has a delectably fruity palate with a fresh acidity complemented by vanilla and wood spices in the background. Food pairing Enjoy this wine slightly chilled on its own or serve it with chicken and fish dishes with delicately spiced or fruit-based sauces, pastas and any seafood dishes. Technical Information
Unfiltered Merlot 2006
Terroir Climate, soil, altitude and slope orientation are selected to capture as much varietal character as possible. Climate is mild with south- and east-facing slopes, offering natural protection against late afternoon sun. Cool breezes from both Atlantic and Indian Oceans ensure rich, slow-growing crops. Soils are predominately medium textured and well-drained with good water holding capacity. The grapes came from a vineyard in Franschhoek said to be over a 100 years old. It is situated at an altitude of 656 feet above sea level and faces northwest. The vines are planted as bush vines and were cultivated under dry land conditions. They were pruned to two bud spurs with an average of five arms per vine. The Vineyards The grapes came from vineyards in the Durbanville area, situated at 853 feet above sea level and facing southwest. The vines were planted in 1988 and were trellised. WinemakingIn the cellar, the juice fermented on the skins for eight days at 82 degrees Fahrenheit. After fermentation the wine underwent malolactic fermentation. It was matured on the fine lees in new casks of French oak for 18 months. It was racked every month for three months with an egg white fining and was bottled without any filtration or stabilization.Technical Information
Unfiltered Sauvignon Blanc 2008
Terroir Climate, soil, altitude and slope orientation are selected to capture as much varietal character as possible. Climate is mild with south-and east-facing slopes offering natural protection against late-afternoon sun. Cooling breezes from both Atlantic and Indian oceans ensure rich, slow growing crops. Soils are predominately medium textured and well-drained with good water holding capacity. The Vineyards (Viticulturist: Bennie Liebenberg) The grapes used for this wine were handpicked for terroir-specific vineyards situated in Lutzville, Darling and Stellenbosch. The Winemaking The grapes were handpicked at 23-24B and showed ripe tropical flavors at harvest. The wine was treated reductively to capture the lively flavors of Sauvignon Blanc. Lees contact has enhanced the mouth feel adding greater depth to the already concentrated fruit flavors. Winemaker’s Comments (Winemaker: Pieter Badenhorst) On the nose this wine shows strong aromas of classic gooseberry and fig leaves with asparagus and herbaceous nuances followed by whiffs of delicate tropical fruit. On the palate this rich, full-bodied Sauvignon Blanc is dominated by herbaceous and tropical fruit flavors with a smooth and extremely elegant finish The wine is ideal with seafood, rich and creamy soups and game. Technical Information
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