CAPE VINTAGE

1998

Vintage
Since 1982; current 1998

Varietal(s)
Tinta Barocca 16%, Tinta Francisca 16%, Cornifesto 16%, Souzão 16%, Tinta Roriz 16% and 20% Touriga Nacional

Tasting Notes
It’s deeply rich with molten plums, honeycomb and whiffs of a fine cigar. The elements fuse in a luscious, velvet-textured palate and a long finish. Ready to enjoy, but could still age for a few years.

R490.00

Once upon a Cape Vintage

Port was a popular wine in South Africa in the mid-1900s due to the British Colonial influence and the warm sunny climate. When David van Velden Snr discussed planting Port varietals with Prof Perold in the 1940s, Perold suggested he plant a selection of the Portuguese varietals as the Portuguese use a number of varietals in a single Port. Five varietals were planted in 1949, namely Tinta Barocca, Tinta Francisca, Cornifesto, Souzão and Tinta Rotiz. The grapes were always harvested and crushed together when making the Overgaauw Port, a tradition that continues today.

In 1992, Overgaauw was the first South African producer to bottle a 100% Touriga Naçional Port. This Port was a breakaway from the traditional South African-styled Ports. It had higher alcohol and lower sugars, similar to the Ports of Portugal. The 100% Touriga Naçional Port was a once-off and was followed by the current blend of which Touriga Naçional makes up 20%.

The Shed - Overgaauw Wine Estate

Our winemaker David van Velden’s comments:

Deeply rich with molten plums, honeycomb and whiffs of a fine cigar.

Made from 6 Portuguese varieties, harvested at the same time, fermented together and fortified with brandy spirit, it’s matured in the classic Port tradition and bottled unfiltered. The elements fuse in a luscious, velvet-textured palate and a long finish. Ready to enjoy, but could still age for a few years.

Still made from the original planting of Touriga Nacional in South Africa. A very accurate expression of this Portuguese cultivar.

The Overgaauw Merlot 1982 was the maiden bottling of this cultivar in South Africa. To this day, it remains a classic expression of Merlot.