Botanica Arboretum Red 2017
$27.99
Critical Acclaim: 91 pts Wilfred Wong; 90 pts Vinous.
About the Winery: Founded in 2009 by owner and self-taught winemaker Ginny Povall, an intrepid American who fell in love with the beautiful Cape winelands and purchased Protea Heights farm in Stellenbosch’s Devon. Established in the late 1940s, Protea Heights was the first farm in South Africa to cultivate indigenous protea flowers commercially (South Africa’s national flower). Inspired by this horticultural history, it was only natural that Ginny would choose to develop her wine brands and labels with a botanical flair. Today the estate boasts eight varieties of proteas (four of which are hybridized species unique to the property), largely destined for export to Europe. The 53 acre farm is planted with 24 acres of indigenous flowers, which bloom throughout the year and 12 acres of organically farmed, high density vineyards. Planted between 2009 and 2010, the estate vines include Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Albariño.
Winemaker's Tasting Notes: Arboretum is crafted from the fruit of the organically farmed estate vineyards in Devon Valley, Stellenbosch. It is a blend of the best barrels the vintage gives the winemaker. This rich, smooth Cabernet Sauvignon dominant Bordeaux-style blend displays lovely blackberry, black cherry, and tobacco notes on the nose. On the palate, it boasts a core of opulent plum and cassis fruit, with firm tannins providing great texture and structure.
"The 2017 Arboretum Bordeaux Bleand is a blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. This works well on the nose, not unlike a Saint-Emilion with plush red berry fruit, allspice, tobacco and light iodine scents from the Petit Verdot. The palate is well balanced with fine tannins, decent depth and quite firm tannins towards the finish that will soften with time. This is a commendable ode to Bordeaux from winemaker Ginny Powell." - Vinous.
Varietal: 49% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Merlot, 17% Cabernet Franc and 6% Petit Verdot.
Follow
