Wine duo is only the second bottling in the range showcasing great vintages
Eikendal Wines has released the latest vintage wines in its premier range Infused by Earth, a terroir-focused collection produced only in years of exceptional quality. Both expressions hail from 2017, a vintage widely recognised as among South Africa’s best of the modern era.
This is only the second time that Eikendal has bottled wines under the Infused by Earth banner. The maiden vintage, released in 2018, comprised a 2015 Cabernet Franc and 2016 Chardonnay. Both were highly acclaimed, and indications are that their successors will be too.
Prior to official release, the Infused by Earth Cabernet Franc 2017 and Chardonnay 2017 were rated by Tim Atkin. The influential UK-based Master of Wine awarded 95/100 points to the former and 94 to the Chardonnay.
Infused by Earth Cabernet Franc 2017
The fruit for the Cabernet Franc hail from a 20-year-old single block growing in ferricrete sedimentary rock and clay. Harvest and vinification applied the utmost care and least interventions, to ensure flavours and aromas developed in the vineyard were preserved in the wine. It spent time in barrel and was bottled in mid-2018.
Its release now signals the wine’s readiness to show what Eikendal vineyards are capable of. It will, however, continue to develop in bottle for up to 15 years.
As with its predecessor, the Infused by Earth Cabernet Franc 2017 will pair well with various dishes for example, lamb meatballs in tomato sauce, turkey with cranberry sauce and roasted camembert with rosemary – a top notch wine for your table this festive season.
Infused by Earth Chardonnay 2017
This wine’s vineyard comprises unirrigated bush vines that grow in decomposed granite and clay. It sits atop a hill overlooking False Bay that is often buffeted by ocean winds. All these aspects make for a harsh environment in which the vines really come into their own.
Preserving its character was a priority during harvest and vinification. The wine spent 16 months maturing and it too will continue to improve over the next decade.
Food pairing suggestions for the Chardonnay include dishes of lobster, guinea fowl and hazelnut-crusted chicken.
The wines are available in specialised wine stores and restaurants around South Africa, and in a handful of markets overseas. The Infused by Earth Chardonnay sells locally for around R650, and the Infused by Earth Cabernet Franc, R950. They are sold individually and in stylish cases of three.
For more information, contact Eikendal at 021 855 1422 or email: orders@eikendal.co.za. Keep up to date with Eikendal news by following the winery on Facebook (@Eikendalvineyards); Instagram (eikendal_vineyards) and Twitter (@EikendalWinery).
Eikendal is situated in what is known as the Golden Triangle of superlative wineries, off the R44 between Stellenbosch and Somerset West.