{"product_id":"zorgvliet-cabernet-franc","title":"Zorgvliet Cabernet Franc","description":"\u003ch2\u003eZorgvliet Cabernet Franc, Banghoek 2022\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProper South African Cabernet Franc – elegant rather than heavy, with raspberry, blackcurrant, tobacco leaf and spearmint wrapped around firm, fine tannins.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCabernet Franc can be absolutely brilliant when it's grown in the right place, and the \u003cstrong\u003eBanghoek Valley\u003c\/strong\u003e is one of those places.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eZorgvliet is a small estate on the Helshoogte Pass, tucked between \u003cstrong\u003eStellenbosch and Franschhoek\u003c\/strong\u003e. Their vineyards sit around 300–350 metres above sea level, with cooler conditions helping Cabernet Franc ripen slowly while retaining the freshness and aromatic character that makes the grape so interesting.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis wine comes from a \u003cstrong\u003esingle vineyard\u003c\/strong\u003e planted on decomposed granite and sandstone soils. The grapes are harvested by hand before being carefully sorted and allowed to ferment spontaneously.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAfter fermentation, the wine is transferred to small French oak barrels to complete malolactic fermentation. It spends a total of \u003cstrong\u003e22 months developing before bottling\u003c\/strong\u003e, with only 13% new oak – enough to add complexity without covering up the fruit.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhy We Like It\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis isn't a massive, jammy South African red. It's much more interesting than that.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere's plenty of fruit – particularly \u003cstrong\u003eraspberry and blackcurrant\u003c\/strong\u003e – but Cabernet Franc's more savoury side really comes through with tobacco leaf, fresh herbs, fern and spearmint.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe tannins are firm and dry, giving the wine plenty of structure, but the fruit remains elegant and surprisingly delicate. There's richness here, but also freshness and definition.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you're a fan of \u003cstrong\u003eBordeaux, Loire Cabernet Franc or more elegant Stellenbosch reds\u003c\/strong\u003e, this is definitely worth a bottle. And if you've never really explored Cabernet Franc on its own, this is a cracking place to start.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eTasting Notes\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNose:\u003c\/strong\u003e Raspberry and blackcurrant leaf with tobacco, fresh herbs, fern and distinctive spearmint notes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePalate:\u003c\/strong\u003e Elegant and structured with ripe red and black fruit, savoury tobacco and herbal complexity. Firm, dry tannins give the wine plenty of definition without making it overly heavy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFinish:\u003c\/strong\u003e Long and persistent with blackcurrant, herbs, tobacco and lingering savoury spice.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFood Pairing\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is made for food. Try it with \u003cstrong\u003eherb-crusted rack of lamb, roast lamb, mushroom risotto, slow-cooked beef or a hearty stew\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt also works brilliantly with mature cheese – get a decent bit of aged cheddar on the table and you're sorted.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eProduct Details\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eProducer:\u003c\/strong\u003e Zorgvliet\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWine:\u003c\/strong\u003e Zorgvliet Cabernet Franc\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eVintage:\u003c\/strong\u003e 2022\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCountry:\u003c\/strong\u003e South Africa\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRegion:\u003c\/strong\u003e Banghoek\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGrape:\u003c\/strong\u003e 100% Cabernet Franc\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eVineyard:\u003c\/strong\u003e Single Vineyard\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eABV:\u003c\/strong\u003e 14%\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBottle Size:\u003c\/strong\u003e 75cl\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eClosure:\u003c\/strong\u003e Cork\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWinemaker:\u003c\/strong\u003e Bernard Le Roux\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSuitable For:\u003c\/strong\u003e Vegetarians\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eStyle:\u003c\/strong\u003e Medium to Full-Bodied Red\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eBuy Zorgvliet Cabernet Franc Online\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBuy \u003cstrong\u003eZorgvliet Cabernet Franc 2022\u003c\/strong\u003e online from The Strong Water Co., independent wine merchants based in Royal Deeside, Aberdeenshire.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe deliver wine throughout the UK, including \u003cstrong\u003eAberdeen, Aberdeenshire, the Scottish Highlands and Islands\u003c\/strong\u003e. Whether you're ordering wine for delivery to Inverness, the Highlands, Skye, Orkney, Shetland or elsewhere across Scotland, you can order online for delivery direct to your door.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLocal customers can also shop our wine range at The Strong Water Co. in \u003cstrong\u003eBanchory and Ballater\u003c\/strong\u003e, in the heart of Royal Deeside.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Boutinot","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":57599923454332,"sku":"SZO020","price":23.5,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0268\/4813\/3192\/files\/FullSizeRender_ce57c252-fdb3-47f2-bacc-096effac08e6.jpg?v=1791382034","url":"https:\/\/thestrongwaterco.com\/nl\/products\/zorgvliet-cabernet-franc","provider":"The Strong Water Co.","version":"1.0","type":"link"}