Dornier Donatus Red 2018 750ml

Origin: Stellenbosch

Varieties:Cabernet Sauvignon 61% / Petit Verdot 11.5% / Malbec 11.5% / Cabernet Franc11.5 / Merlot 4%

Donatus is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, Malbec,Cabernet Franc and Merlot from 5 vineyards on the slopes of the StellenboschMountain.

Tasting Notes:

This nose is bursting with flavours of blackcurrant andliquorice. The palate is refined and elegant with silky tannins. On the palateflavours of blackberry and cassis are abundant, with hints of dark cherry and atouch of cedar. This wine will age beautifully.

VintageConditions:

Donatus is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, Malbec,Cabernet Franc and Merlot from 5 vineyards on the slopes of the StellenboschMountain. The soil consists of red decomposed granite and a high clay content.Clay has a cooling effect as it retains water and keeps the roots cool andleads to the slow ripening of the grapes. The 2017 vintage was a fantasticvintage at Dornier. The vineyards showed impeccable balance, with small bunchesand berries with concentrated flavours.

Fermentation andAgeing:

The grapes are picked by hand, and the berries are sorted in thecellar to ensure that only the best fruit is used for the wine. The differentvarieties are fermented separately in open top fermenters, with pump oversperformed four times daily. Malolactic fermentation takes place in barrel, andthe wine spends a further 18 months maturing in French oak, a third of which isnew. The wine is blended after maturation, which allows us to select the finestcomponents for the final wine.

Food Pairing:

This wine will pair excellently with lamb, venison or rare beeffillet. It will also work well with springbok carpaccio, beef or lamb stewsprepared with red wine and tomatoes, and earthy, rich vegetarian dishes.