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Thistle & Weed

2023

‘Knapsekêrel’

Cabernet Franc   |   Stellenbosch - South Africa
Shelf Talker Spec Sheet Wine Label Bottle Image

About

The perennially opportunistic Knapsêkerel (Blackjack) gambles by spreading its seeds through wind, water, man and beast. The Blackjack is generally thought of as a weed but in many communities around the world it is used as a source of food and for medicinal purposes. This biodynamically farmed Cabernet Franc from the Oudeberg Vineyard in the Polkadraai area of Stellenbosch is littered with these beautiful weeds. Only seven rows are used for this small batch wine. This site is quite close to the ocean and because Steph and Etienne like their Cabernet Franc to be more on the elegant side, the coolness in the vineyard has brought out the perfect bouquet in the wine, with a fresh, crunchy palate. Fun fact: Knapsekêrel also means “handsome man” in Afrikaans.

The winemaking is quite rudimentary as the hard work was really done in the vineyard. The grapes were hand-harvested and 85% of the lot was destemmed with the berries kept intact and the remaining 15% was left whole-bunch. The wines fermented in stainless steel with ambient yeast. Frequent punchdowns by hand were employed to get a gentle extraction. After a week, the wine was dry and gently basket pressed, with only the free run juice and the first light pressing being used. The wine aged in used 225L French oak barrels where malolactic fermentation was carried out naturally. After ten months, the wine was bottled with just a sulfur dosage at bottling. No fining or filtering.

Stats

  • Grapes: 100% Cabernet Franc
  • Vineyard: Oudeberg Vineyard (Polkadraai Hills)
  • Vine Age: 23-years-old
  • Soil Type: Fine granitic sand intermixed with marl
  • Viticulture: Practicing biodynamic
  • Fermentation: Inoculated – open-top stainless steel fermenters (15% whole-cluster)
  • Skin Contact: 7 days
  • Aging: 10 months in used 225L French oak barrels
  • Alcohol: 13.5%
  • pH: 3.8
  • Total Acidity: 5 g/L
  • Total SO2: 88 ppm
  • Total Production: 225 cases
  • UPC: 781718145626

Tasting Note

This deep, inky wine gives off the most amazing scents of Thai basil and thyme. The palate is just as lovely, with raspberry, blueberry, and rose rose water joining the herbal motif. The tannins are chalky and well-integrated, and the finish is gently peppery. Delightful.

 

Press & Reviews

Tim Atkin MW

95

"'A lot of effort for seven rows' is how Stephanie Wiid describes this Cabernet Franc from the Oudeberg farm in the Polkadraai Hills, but the result was worth it. Racy, elegant and perfumed, it’s a tribute to the wines of the Loire Valley, with rose petal and capsicum aromas, sculpted tannins, subtle oak and plum and red cherry fruit. Graceful, ethereal stuff."

- Tim Atkin MW
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Producer


Thistle & Weed

Region


Stellenbosch

Country


South Africa

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