Dornier, Donatus Red 2021

Description

Donatus is a blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Merlot, 13% Malbec, 7% Cabernet Franc and 7% Petit Verdot from 5 vineyards on the slopes of the Stellenbosch Mountain.

Tasting notes by Winemaker
Donatus Red is the pinnacle of our winemaking endeavours at Dornier and includes the very finest barrels selected to display the epitome of each unique vintage. This exceptional wine shows upfront, intense aromas of blackcurrant and liquorice which evolve to notes of tobacco leaf on a refined, elegant palate with silky tannins and oak spice on the finish.

Vineyards & Vintage Conditions
The specially selected parcels of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot used in this robust wine lie along the North-Westerly slopes of the Stellenbosch Mountain where red, decomposed granite soils with a generous clay content buffer the vineyards with soil moisture retention and gentle ripening conditions.
The exceptional 2021 vintage enabled vineyards to attain impeccable balance, resulting in small bunches and concentrated berry flavours.

Winemaking
The grapes for this exceptional wine are hand-picked and sorted to retain only the very best berries at crush. Each of the different varieties is fermented separately in open top fermenters with daily pump overs performed according to extraction requirements. A single rack and return enhances the generous, soft expression of tannins. Malolactic fermentation in barrel is followed by 24 months of maturation in 30 percent new French Oak barrels. After maturation, only the finest components are selected and blended to complete this iconic wine.

Food Pairing
This bold and expressive wine will pair excellently with lamb, venison or rare beef fillet as well as springbok carpaccio, or earthy, rich vegetarian dishes.

Analysis: Alcohol: 14.5%, RS: 2.8g/L, pH: 3.54, Total Acidity: 5.8g/L

Additional information

This bold and expressive wine will pair excellently with lamb, venison or rare beef fillet as well as springbok carpaccio, or earthy, rich vegetarian dishes.