• (Cabernet Sauvignon 64% ,Merlot 21%, Cabernet Franc 15%) LIMITED RELEASE Philosophie is a brave endeavor in which we attempt to marry the mind, the heart, and the soil as we celebrate the diversity of Vondeling. THE STORY BEHIND THE LABEL Each year a celebrated artist is recruited to illustrate a rare Paardeberg flower in the medium of their choice. This unique artistic rendition of the chosen flower serves as the flag bearer, not only of the vintage, but also of the unique terroir in which the grapes are grown. These special labels are placed on a curated selection of Vondeling’s finest barrels to create a series of collectable, rare wines. Each bottle is individually numbered within the series. This year, we’ve chosen Monsonia speciosa, an endangered member of the geranium family, which grows in the Paardeberg. Its attractive pink and white petals have earned it, its common name the Butterfly or Umbrella Flower. This year’s beautiful image was done in oil paint, by the renowned Wiltshire-based artist, Emma Haggas – hereby adding emotion to place. VINEYARDS On Vondeling, in a handful of site-specific vineyards, we employ the very finest viticultural and scientific methods to explore the limits of quality grape production. Each vineyard is carefully assessed at the end of the growing season and attentively pruned during the winter months. At bud burst, any shoots which develop poorly are immediately removed. This ensures that the remaining canes are robust with plenty of energy to ensure fertile flowers and uniform berry set. As the grapes develop, only the best bunch per cane is selected and the rest are dropped to the ground. This lowers the load on the vine, thereby removing any stress in the plant and allowing perfect flavour and tannin development. It also diminishes any need for irrigation and helps preserve the grape’s natural acidity. VINIFICATION Once deemed to have reached optimal ripeness the grapes are hand- picked and refrigerated for 24hrs. The bunches are gently destemmed, but the berries are kept intact for individual berry sorting during which any green material and unripe berries are removed. The berries are not pumped, but ferried, via conveyor to open-top fermenters. This reduces the amount of juice exposed to degradation by oxygen. Cold soaking is done at 6 ˚C for a period of 3 days. Cold soaking is a process which facilitates partial degradation of the grape cell wall, to gently extract the flavours and aromatics situated below the surface of the skin. Subtle tannin extraction protects these delicate flavours and promotes colour stability. As the berries slowly come to room temperature, spontaneous fermentation begins due to the presence of natural, ambient yeast. This natural fermentation by multiple yeast strains, is preferable, as it furthers the regional expression of the wine while promoting complexity and character. A cool fermentation temperature slows the rate of fermentation and affords our winemaker adequate time to assess and manipulate the character of the wine, thus unlocking its full potential. Full extraction is ensured by regular punch downs during a two-week ferment. The skins are further macerated post-fermentation for a week before they’re pressed in a traditional basket press. From the press, the wine moves to 300L French Oak barrels for malolactic fermentation. This slow bacterial degradation of the wine’s harsher acidity has the welcome side effect of meshing the oak and natural fruit flavours into a seamless package. Two-thirds of the barrels are new. The wine remains on its yeast and malolactic lees for 14 months before the best 10 barrels are selected. These barrels are blended and returned for an additional 8 months of maturation. Of these 10 barrels only 5 are selected for the final blend. The wine is bottled after 3 months in tank and bottle matured for at least two years before release. TASTING NOTES & CELLARING & FOOD PAIRING The colour is a near-opaque charcoal red with a dense, scarlet hue. The nose has a superb sense of plush black current, wonderfully restrained and balanced by a hint of graphite. At the same time, the delicate floral notes of the Cabernet Franc are seamlessly infused with notes of sweet raspberry, uplifting aniseed and a hint of pencil shavings. The palate has a dense, weighted presence with a persistent finish. The tannins of this powerful wine are quite precise and balance the abundant ripe berry flavours beautifully. Bright notes of cinnamon and vanilla flow through the berry melange and are supported by seamless oak. This wine’s complex character lends itself to richer cuts of meat and dishes redolent with layers of umami-laden flavour. The likes of pan-seared duck, slow-roasted beef and venison goulash are all excellent counterparts, as are posh burgers with all the trimmings and saucy Tournedos Rossini. Accolades 2016 Vintage: 2022 Platter Guide - 4.5 Stars(94 Points) 2017 Vintage: 2023 Platter Guide - 5 Stars (96 Points) 2019 Vintage: 2024 Platter Guide -5 Stars(97 Points) & Category winner (Cape Bordeux Blend) Analysis pH 3.73 Total Acidity 5.5 g/l Residual Sugar 3.7 g/l Alcohol 14.64 % Download tasting notes
  • Petit Duo

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    Petit Gift Pack (2 pack option)

    R250.00 (incl. VAT)

    Option 1: Petit Chenin Blanc 2024 & Baldrick Shiraz 2022 OR Option 2: Petit Rouge Merlot 2022 & Sauvignon Blanc 2024 OR Option 3: Petit Chenin Blanc 2024 & Rose 2024 OR Option 4: Petit Rouge Merlot 2022 & Rose 2024 Packaged in a sophisticated, branded 2-pack cardboard wine carrier, finished with ribbon & fynbos from the farm.
  • Barrel Selection Gift Pack (2 pack option)

    R425.00 (incl. VAT)

    Option 1: Barrel Selection Chardonnay 2023 & Barrel Selection Merlot 2020 OR Option 2: Barrel Selection Chardonnay 2023 & Barrel Selection Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 Packaged in a sophisticated, branded 2-pack cardboard wine carrier, finished with ribbon & fynbos from the farm.  
  • Petit Trio

    R365.00

    Petit Gift Pack (3 pack option)

    R365.00 (incl. VAT)

    Option 1: Petit Chenin Blanc 2024 & Rose 2024 & Petit Rouge Merlot 2021 OR Option 2: Petit Chenin Blanc 2024 & Rose 2024 & Baldrick Shiraz 2022 OR Option 3: Sauvignon Blanc 2024 & Rose 2024 & Petit Rouge Merlot 2021 OR Option 4: Sauvignon Blanc 2024 & Rose 2024 & Baldrick Shiraz 2022 Packaged in a sophisticated, branded 3-pack cardboard wine carrier, finished with ribbon & fynbos from the farm.
  • Festive Summer Gift Pack (2 pack option)

    R270.00 (incl. VAT)

    Little Sparkle (100% Chardonnay Sparkling Brut) & Option 1: Sauvignon Blanc 2024 OR Option 2: Petit Chenin Blanc 2024 OR Option 3: Petit Rouge Merlot 2022 OR Option 4: Baldrick Shiraz 2022 Packaged in a sophisticated, branded 2-pack cardboard wine carrier, finished with ribbon & fynbos from the farm.
  • Pinnacle of Pinotage Gift Box

    R1175 (incl. VAT)

    2 X Bowwood Pinotage 2021 Packaged in an elegantly branded wooden box. Finished with some ribbon, fynbos from the farm, and a tasting note. Option to include a personalized note.
  • Bowwood Gift Box

    R1040.00 (incl. VAT)

    Bowwood Chenin Blanc 2022 & Bowwood Pinotage 2021 Packaged in an elegantly branded wooden box. Finished with some ribbon, fynbos from the farm, and a tasting note. Option to include a personalized note
  • Premium Bubbly Gift Box

    R610.00R975.00

    Premium Bubbly Gift Box

    1 x Rurale @ R610 (incl. VAT) 2 x Rurale @ R975 (incl. VAT)

    1 OR 2 bottles of Rurale (Méthode Ancestral) 2019 Packaged in an elegantly branded wooden box. Finished with some ribbon, fynbos from the farm, and a tasting note. Option to include a personalized note.
  • Barrel Selection Gift Pack (3 pack option)

    R625.00 (incl. VAT)

    Barrel Selection Chardonnay 2023 & Barrel Selection Merlot 2020 & Barrel Selection Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 Packaged in a sophisticated, branded 3-pack cardboard wine carrier, finished with ribbon & fynbos from the farm.
  • Petit Gift Pack (3 pack option)

    R385.00 (incl. VAT)

    Petit Chenin Blanc 2024 OR Sauvignon Blanc 2024 & Little Sparkle (100% Chardonnay Sparkling Brut) & Rose 2024 Packaged in a sophisticated, branded 3-pack cardboard wine carrier, finished with ribbon & fynbos from the farm.

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