With Cabernet Sauvignon stealing the spotlight (73%), the wine also introduces a touch of Cabernet franc (27%).

“Owing to our favourable terroir, fanned by cooling maritime breezes and ideal soil compositions, both red varieties deliver a strong sense of varietal integrity and quality, expressed wonderfully in this full-flavoured wine,” says Eikendal cellar master Henry Kotzé.

“I always love the challenge of working with different grape varieties as they allow enormous scope for the winemaker to be creative with his blending. The 2005 vintage was no exception,” he added.

After the grapes were harvested from the Eikendal vineyards, they were destemmed, with the finest hand-selected berries finding their way into the fermentation tanks via a conveyor system. After a light crushing and gentle regular punch down actions, the wine was left on the skins for two weeks after fermentation. Each grape variety was vinified separately.

Both wines spent 18 months in new French oak barrels before they were blended together, after which further maturation continued in older barrels over a six month period. The wine was bottle aged for a year prior to its release.

Described by the winemaker as a ‘wine that personifies what Eikendal is all about' the Classique 2005 is said to be a sensual yet substantial wine that unfolds a layered berry bouquet harmoniously backed by an integrated oak character. Juicy ripe black fruit, infused with spicy, peppery flavours coat the palate with hints of truffle and earthy herbaceous influences pointing to a strong Cabernet Sauvignon presence.

The wine is available from R120 per bottle, directly from the cellar or at selected fine wine outlets and restaurants countrywide.