Anthonij Rupert - Optima 2013

Anthonij Rupert - Optima 2013 (87 TSW)
Blend of 50% Cabernet Franc / 30% Merlot / 17% Cabernet Sauvignon / 3% Malbec from the Franschhoek (Western Cape) east of Stellenbosch region.

Handpicked in the early morning and sorted on a double-sorting table. After the cold-soaking, fermentation started and lasted for about 20 days. Malolactic fermentation took place in 225l new French oak barrels and wooden tanks. The wines were made and aged separately for 18 months in 225l French oak barrels (35% new oak). The wines were blended and aged for a further 6 months in barrel and tank and bottle-matured for 24 months before release.

In the glass a dark ruby red color.
On the medium++ nose aromas of cassis, brooding blackberries, plums with lots of smoky hints, cedar, vanilla and mint.
On the palate dry, medium/full-bodied with medium tannins and acidity. Flavours are a recall of the nose with lots of dark fruit, chocolate, cedar and leather. Very powerfull and concentrated and the smoky hints are very present. The wine was the best the day after when it was more in balance and very nice drinkable. Nice and long finish. A good decant is welcome!

Anthonij Rupert Wyne was founded on the farm, L’Ormarins in Franschhoek. Originally owned by the late Anthonij Rupert, who passed away in 2001, the farm was eventually taken over by his brother Johann Rupert in 2003 and the brand named after him. It was Johann Rupert who constructed a state-of-the-art winemaking facility, catapulting the farm into a prestigious wine estate and the beginnings of what is now a sprawling enterprise.
The focus is on terroir specific wines and therefore it would seem obvious that the brand is made up of an impressive portfolio of farms representing the best in grape producing locations.

The portfolio is made up of L’Ormarins situated in Franschhoek, Rooderust in Darling, Riebeeksrivier in the Swartland and Altima in isolated Elandskloof.