Helderberg Cabernet Sauvignon 2012
Product Details
Your Rating
Somm Note
Winemaker Notes
The Helderberg – named for its beauty, and meaning Clear or Bright Mountain – rises majestically above the sweeping False Bay. Around this mountain, farmers have planted vines for centuries, discovering that its soils and proximity to the ocean are ideal for the cultivation of premium grapes. In 1906, the Helderberg Winery was established and in that year harvested the first grapes in their new winery on the slopes of the Helderberg. Over the following decades, the winery grew in stature, based on its pedigree of consistently producing excellent red wines, with notably superb Cabernet Sauvignon. The winery was instrumental in establishing the area’s reputation and high regard, and today the Helderberg is widely acknowledged as South Africa’s home of fine red wines. Purchased by Boekenhoutskloof Winery, Marc Kent has said, “We believe it has nice synergy with our business in Franschhoek and our investment in the Swartland, and we’re excited to be relaunching the brand.”
A noble variety bestowed with both power and concentration, Cabernet Sauvignon enjoys success all over the globe, its best examples showing potential to age beautifully for decades. Cabernet Sauvignon flourishes in Bordeaux's Medoc where it is often blended with Merlot and smaller amounts of some combination of Cabernet Franc, Malbecand Petit Verdot. In the Napa Valley, ‘Cab’ is responsible for some of the world’s most prestigious, age-worthy and sought-after “cult” wines. Somm Secret—DNA profiling in 1997 revealed that Cabernet Sauvignon was born from a spontaneous crossing of Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc in 17th century southwest France.
With an important wine renaissance in full swing, impressive red and white bargains abound in South Africa. The country has a particularly long and rich history with winemaking, especially considering its status as part of the “New World.” In the mid-17th century, the lusciously sweet dessert wines of Constantia were highly prized by the European aristocracy. Since then, the South African wine industry has experienced some setbacks due to the phylloxera infestation of the late 1800s and political difficulties throughout the following century.
Today, however, South Africa is increasingly responsible for high-demand, high-quality wines—a blessing to put the country back on the international wine map. Wine production is mainly situated around Cape Town, where the climate is generally warm to hot. But the Benguela Current from Antarctica provides brisk ocean breezes necessary for steady ripening of grapes. Similarly, cooler, high-elevation vineyard sites throughout South Africa offer similar, favorable growing conditions.
South Africa’s wine zones are divided into region, then smaller districts and finally wards, but the country’s wine styles are differentiated more by grape variety than by region. Pinotage, a cross between Pinot Noir and Cinsault, is the country’s “signature” grape, responsible for red-fruit-driven, spicy, earthy reds. When Pinotage is blended with other red varieties, like Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah or Pinot Noir (all commonly vinified alone as well), it is often labeled as a “Cape Blend.” Chenin Blanc (locally known as “Steen”) dominates white wine production, with Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc following close behind.