What’s in a R1 000 bottle of wine?

We have been so excited to launch our all-new Sir David Graaff, First Baronet of Cape Town 2013 red blend. This premium wine is a wonderful addition to our offering, and a highly-collectible, says De Grendel cellarmaster Charles Hopkins. But what really makes a wine collectible, and whats the difference between a delicious bottle of red that comes with a R70 price tag compared to one that clocks in at over R1 000?

Is it oaked?

The most desired wines in the world age their wines in oak. The process ads “flavours” to the wine and exposes it to oxygen. “Oxygen does some amazing stuff to wine: the tannins become less intense and the taste of the wine becomes smoother. Since oxygen permeates through the barrels, some of the wine inside also evaporates at a rate of about 2% per year. This evaporation is called the ‘angel’s share’ but the result is that the wine in the barrel tastes more concentrated,” explains WineFolly. Regarding the First Baronet, “the wine spends 20 to 24 months in 100% new French oak barrels,” says Hopkins.

What grapes are used?

A vine that produces less grapes will also produce grapes that make wines with more intensity. The First Baronet is a blend of Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot. “I used blocks that I have been making wine from for many years and I know the potential of each lot. The Cabernet and Shiraz are older than 25 years and bear very small crops with very small berries. Very old block grapes are jewels on their own and sadly there is not a lot left in South,” says Hopkins. The grapes were also hand picked at optimum ripeness and were vinified to extract maximum colour, tannin and varietal character in the process.

Limited in numbers

With the above factors in mind, De Grendel produced 3 344 bottles – all hand numbered. We have released a portion, but will be releasing it in limited numbers in the years to come. “This is a highly collectible wine because of its quality, exclusivity and that fact that is has really good potential under ideal conditions to last for 15 to 20 years,” says Hopkins.

The Sir David Graaff, First Baronet of Cape Town 2013 is available for R1 380 here.