The Pinotage vineyard is situated on shallow Malmesbury shale soils with a north-facing aspect, perfect for premium Pinotage. This site gives the wonderful perfumed fruit that gives the Frans Malan its character. The Cabernet vineyards used for this wine are planted in weathered granite soils high in clay and iron content giving wines with depth of fruit and structure. The Merlot is planted high up on the slopes of Simonsig on a cooler site that extends the ripening period of the grapes, leading to smooth, textured and flavorful wines.

In 2021, ample winter rainfall and optimal soil water levels set the stage for grapevines. A late and extended winter led to a delayed season, with consistently cool conditions in Stellenbosch during spring and early summer. Precise vineyard management was crucial due to occasional rainfall, preventing fungal diseases. Despite this, signs of a promising harvest emerged with abundant flowering bunches. December and January’s favorable cool weather facilitated gradual ripening and flavor concentration. Warm, dry conditions from late January to February hastened ripening, yielding smaller bunches with intensified flavors.

All grapes were hand-picked at optimum ripeness with meticulous sorting done in the vineyard and at the cellar. All the different batches had a two-day cold maceration before fermentation commenced. The Pinotage spent a total of six days on the skins before pressing, with regular punch-downs occurring after inoculation. The Cabernet Sauvignon spent a total of 15 days on the skins. Pump-overs were done 2–4 times a day during fermentation. Similarly, the Merlot fermentation lasted 13 days on the skins, with regular punch-downs. Subsequently, malolactic fermentation took place in barrel. The wine then matured for 18 months in 500 L barrels, 100% French oak, utilizing 30% new barrels alongside 54% second-fill and 16% third-fill barrels.

Winemaker : Johan Malan

The Pinotage vineyard is situated on shallow Malmesbury shale soils with a north-facing aspect, perfect for premium Pinotage. This site gives the wonderful perfumed fruit that gives the Frans Malan its character. The Cabernet vineyards used for this wine are planted in weathered granite soils high in clay and iron content giving wines with depth of fruit and structure. The Merlot is planted high up on the slopes of Simonsig on a cooler site that extends the ripening period of the grapes, leading to smooth, textured and flavorful wines.

In 2021, ample winter rainfall and optimal soil water levels set the stage for grapevines. A late and extended winter led to a delayed season, with consistently cool conditions in Stellenbosch during spring and early summer. Precise vineyard management was crucial due to occasional rainfall, preventing fungal diseases. Despite this, signs of a promising harvest emerged with abundant flowering bunches. December and January’s favorable cool weather facilitated gradual ripening and flavor concentration. Warm, dry conditions from late January to February hastened ripening, yielding smaller bunches with intensified flavors.

All grapes were hand-picked at optimum ripeness with meticulous sorting done in the vineyard and at the cellar. All the different batches had a two-day cold maceration before fermentation commenced. The Pinotage spent a total of six days on the skins before pressing, with regular punch-downs occurring after inoculation. The Cabernet Sauvignon spent a total of 15 days on the skins. Pump-overs were done 2–4 times a day during fermentation. Similarly, the Merlot fermentation lasted 13 days on the skins, with regular punch-downs. Subsequently, malolactic fermentation took place in barrel. The wine then matured for 18 months in 500 L barrels, 100% French oak, utilizing 30% new barrels alongside 54% second-fill and 16% third-fill barrels.

Winemaker : Johan Malan