Issued by: GC Communications On
behalf of: The High Road, 7D Lower Dorp Street, Bosman’s Crossing, Stellenbosch
The High Road, the
petite boutique winery located in the vibrant Bosman’s Crossing precinct of Stellenbosch,has
been producing elegant Bordeaux-style blends for
more than a decade from the finest vineyards in the heart of red wine country.
Founded in 2003 by
owners Les Sweidan and Mike Church, both insurance industry kingpins with a
passion for wine, The High Road has made major strides with its acclaimed
Bordeaux-style reds from the finest Stellenbosch vineyard sites.
Working as a team with
experienced winemaker Mark Carmichael-Green and viticulturist Paul Wallace, The
High Road is driven by the overriding commitment to produce a truly South
African wine with the elegance, intrinsic depth and uniqueness of the classic
Bordeaux red at its core.
“Walking the road less
travelled” captures Mark’s 11 vintages as winemaker for The High Road where the winemaking
philosophy is rooted in a solid commitment to quality and integrity evident in
the fastidious selection of vineyards blocks, grapes and every individual
French oak barrel.
Meticulous attention
to detail is tangible in The High Road cellar where every bunch and individual
grape is sorted painstakingly by hand and every batch is vinified and barrel
matured separately before the final blend is selected.
Defined by its
elegance and refinement, the Director’s Reserve, one of two Bordeaux-style
blends produced by The High Road, is a fruit forward wine matured in 100% new
French oak. The blend differs in style from the more accessible, easier
drinking Classique which is exposed to less new wood but still carries The High
Road signature of uncompromising quality.
The current 2010 The
High Road Director’s Reserve garnered a 2013 Veritas Double Gold medal, the
second Veritas Double Gold in four years for this boutique cellar. The
Classique with its signature soft, elegant tannins, has also had its share of
prestigious accolades culminating in the 2014 Taj Classic Wine Trophy.
Crafted from four of
the five major Bordeaux varieties, the Cabernet Sauvignon driven 2010
Director’s Reserve has been tweaked somewhat from earlier vintages with the
addition of a small component of Petit Verdot for the first time. The wine,
comprising Cabernet Sauvignon (69%), Merlot (19%), Cabernet Franc (8%) and
Petit Verdot (4%), shows great complexity layered with cassis and blueberry
fruit, vanilla oak and chocolate nuances supported by a backbone of rich, ripe
tannins.
“We are very pleased
with the way the Petit Verdot bridges the three main varieties allowing each to
contribute its own intrinsic value but being able to step back so that others
can have centre stage, thereby making the sum of the parts a greater whole,”
says Mark who believes the art of making great wines is to find the best
possible sites for the grape variety concerned and then to exploit the science
of it.
“We have always chosen
grapes from the Helderberg slopes based on terroir and the history of
successful winemaking with the red varieties we use and we have been blessed to
have found blocks which have taken us to the next level,” he adds.
The Director’s Reserve
sells for around R250 per bottle. Wine lovers who join The High Road Wine Club
benefit from a 20% discount on all wine purchases. Following the time honoured
model of small Bordeaux producers in France, The High Road prefers to sell its
wines directly to consumers through its wine club as well as selected
specialist wine shops, restaurants and special interest groups. All it takes to
join is the commitment to buy a minimum of 24 bottles of The High Road wine
annually. Orders of 12 bottles or more will be delivered to your door free of charge.
All members qualify for VIP invitations to sample new releases in Johannesburg
and Cape Town, complimentary tastings at the cellar in Stellenbosch, as well as
preferential access to limited release, older vintages and exclusive
collections. For further information visit www.thehighroad.co.za or email club@thehighroad.co.za.
Daily tastings at The
High Road cellar in Lower Dorp Street, Bosman’s Crossing, in Stellenbosch are
by appointment only. Call Tel: 0760445020.
