[Hippo] 2019

(2023 Release)

Availability in United States, Japan and Singapore

/ Cabernet Sauvignon /Cabernet Franc / Merlot / Petit Verdot

RELEASE: #10 [Letter H]

TOTAL PRODUCTION: 480 BOTTLES (750ml) / 26 MAGNUM BOTTLES

BLEND INFORMATION

50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 34% Cabernet Franc, 12% Merlot, 4% Petit Verdot

TASTING NOTES

The Hippo is a Bordeaux blend with elegance and balance that can stand the test of time. The wine has an intensely dark colour, the palate shows a tight grip of oak tannins, balanced with excellent fruit and a lingering finish. The Cabernet Franc and Merlot lend wonderful smoothness to the blend. The 2019 vintage has vast potential to evolve over time, with sufficient structure and concentration to age for multiple decades.

IN THE VINEYARD

Training method: 5-wire vertical trellis

Yield: Average of 38 hl/ha and 6.3 tons/ha

IN THE CELLAR

9-10 days in closed tanks, mixed by pumping over, pressed in horizontal basket press (Cabernet Sauvignon) and pneumatic press (Merlot and Cabernet Franc). Only the top barrels in the cellar were selected for this wine. Maturation took place for ± 24 months in small barrels and bottled with only minimal pre-bottling filtration. Sediment can be expected.

Barrel profile: 25% 1st fill, 15% 2nd fill and balance 3rd and 4th fill. 100% French oak.

Bottling: 31 January 2022 at Mooiplaas

Cheers,

Jason Oliva