The red brother of Empire Strikes Back is EMPIRE – not striking back but just being himself. With Cabernet Sauvignon as driver and bits of Merlot and Cabernet Franc to compliment. The old style design label shows a combination crest. I combined the crest of Stellenbosch University and Elsenburg College – The 2 Empires when it comes to wine education – I studied at both…

The Story

Today I’m standing up to defend the EMPIRE – STELLENBOSCH. Silently, she’s been re-aligning her troops and now strikes back at the Swartland to establish herself yet again as a formidable force. Just for the record – I am a huge fan of Swartland white blends. The image of South African wines has changed dramatically over the past 10 years and the Swartland played a huge part in this. Their wines, especially the Rhône-style white blends are top notch. They are fun, young, energetic and unique and started to gain international fame. Stellenbosch, however (where I studied winemaking), is the original EMPIRE of South African wine. Like most of us, I like to support the underdog, and in the case of white blends, the Empire became exactly that. So I created a white blend based on similar varieties – a combination that could give some of the Swartland white blends a go. The empire is therefore now striking back at the Swartland with a blend of an all-Stellenbosch Verdelho, Pinot blanc, Sauvignon blanc, Roussanne, Marsanne, Chardonnay, Chenin blanc and Viognier. The label consists of two sections. On the left part of the label you will see a half star, which was the logo for the “Swartland Revolution”. And on the right – stripes that represent a traditional and conservative EMPIRE. And the red brother of Empire Strikes Back is EMPIRE – not striking back but just being himself. With Cabernet Sauvignon as driver and bits of Merlot and Cabernet franc to compliment. The old style design label shows a combination crest. I combined the crest of Stellenbosch University and Elsenburg College – The 2 Empires when it comes to wine education – I studied at both…

Technical Information

Cultivar: Cabernet Sauvignon (57%), Cabernet Franc (29%), Merlot (14%)Vintage: 2020Region: Stellenbosch
Amount of Bottles Produced: 2039

Vineyard: This is a blend from a selection of vineyards – Helderberg Merlot on decomposed granite soil, Valley floor Cabernet Sauvignon with Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet franc high up on the Helderberg facing towards Stellenbosch.

Winemaking: The grapes were picked at optimal ripeness and cooled overnight to 4 degrees celsius. The next morning the grapes were destemmed to open top fermenters. The juice underwent spontaneous fermentation and stayed on the skins for as long as possible. Pressed into older French oak small barrels, 18 months in barrel, blended and bottled.
Alcoholic Strenght: 14.5% / volAcidity: 5.9 g/lPH: 3.62Reducing Sugar: 2.3 g/lFree SO2: 25 ppmTotal SO2: 93 ppmVolatile Acidity: 0.98 g/lClosure: Natural CorkVegan: Yes