Hermanuspietersfontein Swartskaap 2013

Named after the founder of Walker Bay’s prized town Hermanus, Hermanus Pieters, Hermanuspietersfontein is one of the most exciting wineries in this area. It’s the only one situated in the Sondagskloof subregion, just in from the coast, and ocean cooled. That and the altitude of the vineyards, up to 300 metres, accounts for the elegance and freshness of their wines. That said, this is a full bodied red, pure Cabernet Franc (like Bordeaux’s Cheval Blanc) and the only single varietal wine in their range. Hence the name, Swartskaap – black sheep. For a taste of the ‘best of the best’ from South Africa, this is the bottle to choose. Aged in new and one-fill French oak barriques for 18 months, it’s a beautifully nuanced red, that will age.