Red fruit (raspberry, cherry), violets and peppery notes dominate the aromas. Medium to full-bodied with well-refined tannins and flavors of ripe dark fruit, a touch of chocolate and integrated wood spice.

WINE INFORMATION

Stretched out along the steep northern slopes of the Helderberg, for more than a century Alto has built a reputation as one of the most respected and oldest red wine producers in South Africa. The first title deeds date back to 1693, but it was only in 1919 that the farm was given over entirely to vineyard.  Bertho van der Westhuizen is only the fifth winemaker in the estate’s 100-year history and took the reins from his father Schalk in 2015.

The grapes for this wine came from vineyards planted in deep, decomposed granite and clay soils on a north-westerly slope, situated some 100m to 150m above sea level. The vines are grown under optimum conditions and are trellised on a five-wire hedge system. They yielded 8 to 12 tons per hectare.

The grapes were harvested by hand at 24.5° – 26° in mid- March. After destemming and crushing, the juice was fermented for 10 days on the skins in stainless-steel tanks at 25° to 27°C with regular pumping over. After malolactic fermentation, the wine was aged in wood for 18 months, using a combination of French (80%) and American (20%) first-, second- and third-fill barrels.

Charcuterie, Cheese, Grilled preparations, Hearty stew, Lamb, Mushrooms, Pizza, Pork, Red Meat, Roasted Root Vegetables, Sausage, Slow-smoked Barbeque/BBQ Sauce, Tomato Sauce, Vegetables