Zorgvliet Cabernet Franc, Banghoek 2022

Proper South African Cabernet Franc – elegant rather than heavy, with raspberry, blackcurrant, tobacco leaf and spearmint wrapped around firm, fine tannins.

Cabernet Franc can be absolutely brilliant when it's grown in the right place, and the Banghoek Valley is one of those places.

Zorgvliet is a small estate on the Helshoogte Pass, tucked between Stellenbosch and Franschhoek. 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.

This wine comes from a single vineyard planted on decomposed granite and sandstone soils. The grapes are harvested by hand before being carefully sorted and allowed to ferment spontaneously.

After fermentation, the wine is transferred to small French oak barrels to complete malolactic fermentation. It spends a total of 22 months developing before bottling, with only 13% new oak – enough to add complexity without covering up the fruit.

Why We Like It

This isn't a massive, jammy South African red. It's much more interesting than that.

There's plenty of fruit – particularly raspberry and blackcurrant – but Cabernet Franc's more savoury side really comes through with tobacco leaf, fresh herbs, fern and spearmint.

The 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.

If you're a fan of Bordeaux, Loire Cabernet Franc or more elegant Stellenbosch reds, 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.

Tasting Notes

Nose: Raspberry and blackcurrant leaf with tobacco, fresh herbs, fern and distinctive spearmint notes.

Palate: 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.

Finish: Long and persistent with blackcurrant, herbs, tobacco and lingering savoury spice.

Food Pairing

This is made for food. Try it with herb-crusted rack of lamb, roast lamb, mushroom risotto, slow-cooked beef or a hearty stew.

It also works brilliantly with mature cheese – get a decent bit of aged cheddar on the table and you're sorted.

Product Details

• Producer: Zorgvliet
• Wine: Zorgvliet Cabernet Franc
• Vintage: 2022
• Country: South Africa
• Region: Banghoek
• Grape: 100% Cabernet Franc
• Vineyard: Single Vineyard
• ABV: 14%
• Bottle Size: 75cl
• Closure: Cork
• Winemaker: Bernard Le Roux
• Suitable For: Vegetarians
• Style: Medium to Full-Bodied Red

Buy Zorgvliet Cabernet Franc Online

Buy Zorgvliet Cabernet Franc 2022 online from The Strong Water Co., independent wine merchants based in Royal Deeside, Aberdeenshire.

We deliver wine throughout the UK, including Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire, the Scottish Highlands and Islands. 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.

Local customers can also shop our wine range at The Strong Water Co. in Banchory and Ballater, in the heart of Royal Deeside.

ABV STRENGTH 14.0

BOTTLE SIZE 75cl

COUNTRY South Africa

GRAPE Cabernet Franc

REGION Banghoek

STYLE Medium-bodied

VINTAGE 2022