Vondeling Wins: “Platter Guide, Wine of the Year”

South African Bordeaux Blend

Globally, Cape Bordeaux Blends are recognized as a top category where Cape wines excel.

Vondeling Wines, situated in the Voor Paardeberg region just outside Paarl, is a leading producer of Bordeaux styles.

The Vondeling Philosophie 2019 not only achieved an impressive 97 points but also won the title of Best Cape Bordeaux Blend of the Year!

This is a remarkable success!

The 2024 John Platter Guide has been in existence for 44 years and is the principal guide for South African Wines. Over 8000 wines from approximately 900 producers are evaluated. Only 213 have received 5 stars, with ratings of 95 points or more.

This demonstrates the exceptional caliber of the Vondeling Philosophie 2019.

The previous vintage, Philosophie 2017, was rated at 96 points, showcasing the consistency and superior grape quality of Vondeling.

Matthew Copeland, the winemaker at Vondeling, remarks: “Most South African wine icons are red Bordeaux blends, mainly from the Stellenbosch region. It's a significant honor for a wine from Paarl to earn such recognition. When considering that the wine hails from the Voor Paardeberg sub-region, one of South Africa's oldest and finest wine regions, it indicates the potential of this area.”

Facts about Philosophie 2019

The award-winning blend consists of 64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 21% Merlot, and 12% Cabernet Franc. Matthew believes the wine's excellence comes from the careful selection and nurturing of the grapes with love. “The moderate climate in Voor Paardeberg and the abundant water supply significantly enhance these thirsty grapes!”

2019 marks the fifth production year for this wine, which is only vinified under the Philosophie label in exceptional vintages, featuring limited production.

Each vintage boasts a unique label depicting a rare flower from the region, making the bottles collectible not only for their content but also for their distinctive labels.

Vinification

Once the grapes are optimally ripe, they are hand-harvested and cooled for 24 hours. The grapes are meticulously destemmed without crushing, with berries sorted to remove any green elements. The berries are transported to open fermentation vessels via conveyor belt, avoiding pumping.

The soaking process occurs at 6 degrees Celsius over five days, allowing partial breakdown of grape cell walls to gently extract underlying fruit aromas and flavors. This subtle tannin extraction protects delicate aromas and helps stabilize color.

As the berries gradually reach room temperature, spontaneous fermentation begins with surrounding yeast. This natural fermentation using multiple yeast strains promotes complexity and character in the wine.

A cooler fermentation temperature slows down the process, providing the winemaker ample opportunity to assess and shape the wine's character, allowing it to achieve its full potential.

After a three-week maceration, the skins are delicately pressed using a traditional basket press. The wine is directly transferred from the press into 300-liter barrels made of French oak for malolactic fermentation, blending oak and natural fruit aromas into a seamless experience. Two-thirds of the barrels are new.

The wine remains on the lees and fine must for 14 months before the finest 10 barrels are chosen, blended, and aged for an additional 8 months. From these barrels, only five are selected for the final blend. The wine is bottled after three months in tank and aged for at least two years in bottle before market release.

Tasting Notes

Platter describes the wine as massive, with a muscular structure; it exhibits complex, detailed spices and mineral notes.

Expect a ripe, concentrated fruit profile accompanied by tobacco and earthy tones, alongside a range of aromas.

The Philosophie 2019 will soon be available from us!