Beautifully textured, the fleshy ripe fruit is balanced by
an smoky, savoury character showing pronounced
cassis, dried figs, dates together with hints of clove and
chocolate.
Producer Note
Founded in 1989, multi-award winning Mulderbosch Vineyards is one of South
Africa’s foremost wine producers. As advocates to the Integrated Production of Wine
(IPW) code, they manage their vineyards limiting the use of herbicides, fungicides
and pesticides. They use a restrained approach in the cellar to produce distinctive
and characterful wines that represent the Stellenbosch terroir. Chenin Blanc is the
Cape’s signature variety and they have the largest planting of this variety in the
world. In 1996, Mulderbosch was one of the very first producers in the Cape to
ferment Chenin Blanc in barriques. The resultant wine garnered an avid following
and Mulderbosch has since become synonymous with the variety.
Vintage
2016 saw a hot and dry growing season, which reduced disease pressure in the
vineyard and resulted in excellent concentration in the fruit.
Vineyard
The Faithful Hound is a blend of five varieties; all are estate grown grapes except the
Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon which come from neighbouring vineyards carefully
chosen for their consistency and quality. All vines are trellised, using Vertical Shoot
Positioning and moveable foliage wires. The basic geological structure is
decomposed granite, with soils comprising varying levels of gravelly clay. Leaf
removal at an early stage of the grape's life generally ensure the pyrazine or ‘green’
flavours often encountered in Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc are
avoided. Moderate cropping levels of between eight to 12 tonnes provide the vines
with a natural load that encourages slower accumulation of grape sugars and thus
allows for riper flavours at lower Brix levels. Mechanical under vine weeding takes
place as herbicides are no longer used at Mulderbosch.
Winemaking
The grapes were meticulously sorted prior to being destemmed. The fermentation
process was initiated by naturally occurring yeast, and finished by a selected strain,
added during the course of fermentation. Gentle extraction and long maceration
time are the hallmarks of the winemaking style, followed by barrel maturation. The
wine spent 16 months in French oak barriques, of which 30% were new and the
remainder in 2nd and 3rd fill.
Tasting Note
Classically styled, pronounced cassis is followed by dried figs, dates, hints of clove
and notes of forest floor on this complex bouquet. Underpinned by serious structure,
the fleshy ripe fruit finds balance with an earthy, savoury character. A poised and
elegant wine. Perfect with grilled steak and charred tomato salsa.
