Zorgvliet Cabernet Franc 2022 Banghoek (75cl, 14%)

A 2022 Cabernet Franc from Zorgvliet, a small estate on the Helshoogte Pass between Stellenbosch and Franschhoek. The grapes come from a single vineyard in the Banghoek Valley, at 300 to 350 metres, where cooler conditions let them ripen slowly. The soils are decomposed granite and sandstone. The fruit is picked by hand, sorted and fermented spontaneously. Malolactic fermentation takes place in small French oak barrels, and the wine spends 22 months in total developing before bottling, with only 13% new oak. The nose is raspberry and blackcurrant leaf with tobacco, fresh herbs, fern and spearmint. The palate is elegant and structured, with firm, dry tannins, and the finish is long and savoury.