Plaisir Estate Red 2023: A Bordeaux-Style Blend from Simonsberg-Paarl

The Plaisir Estate Red 2023 is a dry, medium-bodied Bordeaux-style blend produced in the Simonsberg-Paarl wine region. It is made from 34% Malbec, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Petit Verdot, 10% Cabernet Franc and 7% Merlot, with an alcohol content of 14.5%. The wine offers an inviting bouquet of jammy blueberries, ripe plums and stewed fruit, complemented by a refreshing hint of mint. On the palate, these rich fruit flavours continue, supported by a velvety texture and a well-balanced combination of fruitiness and freshness. The grapes are sourced from 14- to 17-year-old vineyards planted on the south-eastern slopes of Simonsberg Mountain in weathered granite soils, where cooler afternoon conditions promote slower ripening, resulting in concentrated fruit flavours and well-ripened tannins. After hand-harvesting, the grapes undergo fermentation in stainless steel tanks before maturing as a final blend for 12 months in a combination of new, second-fill and third-fill 300-litre French oak barrels. The wine has an ageing potential of between five and ten years, allowing its complexity and structure to develop further over time.