Vondeling Wins: “Platter Guide, Wine of the Year”

South African Bordeaux Blend

Globally, Cape Bordeaux Blends are recognized as one of the leading categories in which wines from the Cape excel.

Vondeling Wines, located in the Voor Paardeberg region just outside Paarl, has become one of the leading Bordeaux style producers.

The Vondeling Philosophie 2019 not only earned a remarkable 97 points, but also won the title of Best Cape Bordeaux Blend of the Year!

What an incredible achievement!

The 2024 John Platter Guide has been around for 44 years and is the most significant guide for South African Wines. Over 8000 wines from about 900 producers are evaluated here. Only 213 have been awarded 5 stars, rated at 95 points or more.

This highlights the caliber of the Vondeling Philosophie 2019.

The Philosophie 2017 previously received 96 points, which speaks to the consistency and exceptional grape quality of Vondeling.

Matthew Copeland, the winemaker at Vondeling, states: “Most South African wine icons are red Bordeaux blends, primarily from the Stellenbosch region. It is a great honor for a wine from the Paarl region to receive such high acclaim. Considering that the wine comes from the Voor Paardeberg sub-region, one of the oldest and finest wine regions in South Africa, one can grasp the potential of this area.”

Facts about Philosophie 2019

The winner is a blend of 64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 21% Merlot, and 12% Cabernet Franc. Matthew is convinced that the wine stands out because the grapes are grown and selected with utmost care and love. “The moderate climate in Voor Paardeberg and the abundance of water make a decisive difference for these thirsty grapes!”

2019 is the fifth production year for this wine and it is only vinified under the Philosophie label in exceptional vintages with outstanding quality, and, of course, it is a limited edition.

Each vintage features a unique label showcasing a rare flower from the region, making the bottles not only a collectible in terms of content but also through their special labels.

Vinification

Once the grapes reach optimal ripeness, they are hand-harvested and cooled for 24 hours. The grapes are carefully destemmed without crushing, and the berries are individually sorted to remove any green material. The berries are transported to open fermentation vessels via a conveyor belt without being pumped.

Soaking occurs at 6 degrees Celsius over a period of 5 days. This process partially breaks down the cell walls of the grapes to gently extract the fruit aromas and flavors underneath the skins. This subtle tannin extraction protects these delicate aromas and enhances color stability.

As the berries slowly reach room temperature, spontaneous fermentation begins with the surrounding yeasts. This natural fermentation involving multiple yeast strains is preferred, as it ensures the wine's complexity and character.

A cool fermentation temperature slows down the process, allowing the winemaker ample time to assess and influence the wine's character, thus enabling it to reach its full potential.

After a three-week maceration, the skins are gently pressed in a traditional basket press. The wine is transferred directly from the press into 300-liter French oak barrels for malolactic fermentation, which warmly integrates the oak and natural fruit aromas into a seamless package. Two-thirds of the barrels are new.

The wine remains on the lees and fine sediments for 14 months before the best 10 barrels are selected, blended, and returned for an additional 8 months of aging. From these 10 barrels, only 5 are chosen for the final blend. The wine is bottled after 3 months in tank and ages for at least two years in bottle before being released to the market.

Tasting Notes

Platter describes the wine as massive with muscular structure. A Cape Bordeaux with complex, detailed spice and mineral notes.

A ripe, concentrated fruit profile, tobacco and earthy tones, accompanied by a variety of aromas.

The Philosophie 2019 will soon be available from us!