WINEMAKER: Abrie Beeslaar
COMPOSITION: 54% Cabernet Sauvignon | 18% Pinotage | 17% Merlot | 9% Petit Verdot | 2% Cabernet Franc
ORIGIN: Stellenbosch
AGE OF VINES: 10 – 30 years (bush and trellised)
IRRIGATION: Supplementary drip irrigation
SOIL TYPE: Decomposed Granite & Shale
YIELD: 7 tons per hectare
AGEING POTENTIAL: > 10 years

VINTAGE CONDITIONS
The 2023 vintage experienced warmer winter conditions, leading to uneven budding and flowering. A much needed 100mm of rainfall in December (2022) alleviated stress and encouraged vine vigour. January and February brought hot weather, but phenolic ripeness was successfully achieved.

VINIFICATION
Handpicked grapes were destemmed, sorted, and fermented in open top concrete fermenters at 28 C. The skins were punched down by hand, every 2 hours during fermentation. The juice was drawn off the skins after 3 days. Malolactic fermentation and maturation took place for 20 months in 225L French oak barrels.

TASTING NOTES
Dense ruby with a slight purple edge. Cabernet Sauvignon leads on the nose, showing graphite, tea leaf, dark hedgerow fruit and cassis, supported by subtle herbal notes, cinnamon spice and a dusty, earthy nuance. The palate is broad yet refined, with ripe, fine-grained tannins framing a generous, approachable fruit core. Classic Cabernet flavours carry through, with Pinotage adding red-fruit lift and gentle spice. Balanced and composed, finishing dry in the Beeslaar style, with excellent character and value.

Data Sheet:

https://www.beeslaar.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Fact-Sheet-Beeslaar-Cape-Courage-2023.pdf