An exciting year of
promising wine releases awaits wine lovers at Holden Manz, where Vernissage
2012 has just made its debut as a seductive preview of things to come for this
trendy Franschhoek wine estate.
Boasting
a dark deep centre with a bright red edge, Vernissage 2012 is a beautiful
collaboration of the typical characteristics of the two grape varietals,
Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz. The nose teems with berry flavours and black
fruit typical of Cabernet Sauvignon, whilst the Shiraz lends upfront spice and
dark cherries.
Meticulous
grape selection and minimal man-made impact to preserve the true varietal
characters are the hallmark of winemaker Schalk Opperman’s new red at Holden
Manz.
The
individual varieties selected from distinct parcels of vineyards in varying
soil types were bunch and berry sorted, crushed and destalked prior to
fermentation with very few interventions in the cellar to ensure varietal
integrity. The winemaking team, in collaboration with enthusiastic owners
Gerard Holden and Migo Manz, went to great lengths to finalise the blend
after numerous careful trials and test tastings of the different batches.
The
result is a superbly balanced, multi-layered, spicy and fruity wine with the
various components adding great complexity and wonderful intricacy to the wine.
“The
wine has beautiful ripe, soft and chewy tannins with good balance and a soft
and lingering finish,” says Schalk, who recommends enjoying Vernissage 2012
with slow cooked lamb stew with rich tomato herb and garlic sauce, haricots
vert and grilled polenta.
Vernissage 2012 is available
at selected fine wine shops and sells for R60 at the Holden Manz cellar
door.
The Holden Manz
tasting room is open daily from 10h00 to 17h00. Holden Manz Wine Estate offers
a spectacular setting for weddings. For more information or bookings, phone
021-876 2738. Visit Holden Manz on Facebook or Holden Manz To reach Holden Manz, turn right at the Huguenot Monument in Franschhoek and
follow the signs for two kilometres.
GPS coordinates: Latitude: 33° 56’ 7” S;
Longitude: 19° 6’ 54” E.
