Beau Constantia, Aidan 2018

Description

The Year – by Winemaker Megan van der Merwe
The 2018 vintage will long be remembered for its coolness and low disease pressure.  It will also be remembered as the first real vintage to feel the effects of the famous Cape Drought that started in 2015 and worsened towards 2018. Our yields were down by 10%, but with our buffering cool climate conditions, the quality of the vintage was superlative.

The 2017 winter leading up to the 2018 vintage arrived later than usual, allowing vines to part with their leaves slightly later – a great thing for the accumulation of reserves. Bud burst started later due to the late, cool, season extending well into September.  Shoot growth started off slow, but increased as temperatures soared into November. From December temperatures cooled down quickly and by February nights weren’t quite comfortable without the aid of a jumper. This was great for colour and flavour formation, especially in our red varieties that ripen much later in the season. In addition to that, the bunches and individual berries were much smaller than usual, which is again coupled with increased colour and flavour intensity.

The cool, dry weather also allowed for longer hang-time as vineyards were healthy without the occurrence of diseases and pests; allowing for slow ripening and softer, richer tannins. What an absolute pleasure working this vintage.

The Wine
The 2018 AIDAN is a blend of 32% Syrah, 28% Petit Verdot, 21% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Malbec and 7% Merlot.

The bunches were hand harvested at early morning hours and spent the night in a 4 degree Celsius room before being hand sorted to berry level on its way to tank. The batches all fermented in their own, small vessels before being gravity drained and basket pressed to barrel. The wine was inoculated for Malolactic fermentation, and post the secondary fermentation spent a further 18 months in 42% New French oak and 58% 2nd-fill French oak barrels.

The 2018 AIDAN is a character of serious substance. A dry vintage has sculpted a wine with incredible structure, boasting flavours that lean towards the darker spectrum of fruit. At first, aromas of blackcurrant and blackberries fill the nose, until a necessary swirl allows for spices such as star anise, five spice and mace to enter the conversation. Olive tapenade and fresh leather hint in the distance, beautifully balanced by a serious salinity that pins this offering to its maritime environment, where the vines grow on steep slopes circled by the cold Atlantic Ocean. A leaner approach to the use of new oak has undoubtedly highlighted the concentration of this vintage’s fruit and grippy, angular tannins ensure that every sip leaves a lasting impression on the palate. Enjoy with a rosemary-crusted roast rack of lamb with root vegetables and a rich, umami gravy.

w.o. Constantia
ALC 14.11%
TA 5.10 g/l
VA 0.6g/l
RS 2.60g/l
PH 3,74

Additional information

Enjoy with a rosemary-crusted roast rack of lamb with root vegetables and a rich, umami gravy.