2013 Neil Ellis Cabernet Sauvignon Stellenbosch South Africa

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  • Pioneer in South Africa
  • One of the best from S. Africa
  • 2nd Generation Family Affair
  • Environmentally Sensitive
  • Free Shipping on 6 or more bottles of this wine

About the Wine

Neil Ellis is one of the doyens of the South African wine industry. He has journeyed from pioneering négociant beginnings in the early 1980’s, seeking out parcels of interesting vines to make exceptional wines under his own name, to a well-established family enterprise with a local and international reputation for exceptional elegance and quality. Today the journey of Neil Ellis Wines is not only about Neil Ellis. After 40 years of making wine, the next stage of the journey has begun with Neil’s son, Warren, sharing responsibilities as winemaker and viticulturist in the pursuit of quality winemaking. Neil’s youngest son, Charl heads the financial team while his daughter Margot fulfils the role of brand manager.

The new winery and tasting room, built in 2010, houses the tasting room, administration and production facilities. The winery has its own crush pad, fermentation room, barrel maturation cellar as well as stabilization and bottling facilities giving them full control of every aspect of the winemaking process.

Neil Ellis Wines’ environmentally sensitive winery, built with very thick and heavy rammed earth walls, houses their tasting room, vinotéque, administration offices and production facilities.

Dreaming to be a winemaker as a young boy, Warren Ellis started helping his dad in the winery at a young age. He holds both a BSc and MSc Agric in Viticulture and Oenology from the University of Stellenbosch. He joined the team in 2006 and recently travelled the European wine world doing research on cellar technology and viticulture. Warren currently fills the position as winemaker at Neil Ellis Wines with viticultural responsibilities.

Winemaking Philosophy:  The vision is to make distinctive, refined wines that are expressive of the terrain and rank amongst South Africa’s finest. A pursuit of quality, nothing less.

The majority of the Jonkershoek Valley is a nature reserve well known for its fynbos, trails and waterfalls but it is the mouth of the valley that is known for its distinctive conditions best suited for grape growing. The 14ha of vines on the Klein Gustrouw farm were planted during an ongoing replanting program that started in 1990 introducing the latest soil preparation techniques and best plant material. The south facing slopes are significantly cooler than the surrounding area of Stellenbosch and a howling South Eastern wind during the summer months cools down the vineyards considerably, minimizing vine disease and holding down yields. The soils are mostly deep, decomposed granite soils. Vineyard altitudes range from 190m to 550m above sea level.

Mindful that no single vineyard can satisfy all grape varieties, Neil Ellis set out to identify distinct terroir in which individual varietals will excel. He placed the emphasis on only on environmental but on viticultural by a dedicated team growers which extends through to the wine making practices.

  • 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
  • Aged 18 months in 25% New French oak

Reviews

~ 91pts Tim Atkin’s South Africa Special Report

 

***Free Shipping on 6 or more bottles of this wine***