Taste & Aging
Light
Bold
Smooth
Tannic
Dry
Sweet
Soft
Acidity
Drinking Window
Aging phase
Until 2026
Ready to drink
2026 - 2035
Past peak
After 2035
Aromas
Food Pairing
Vintage Report
The 2022 vintage in South Africa received an excellent score of 92 points. The wines from this year are considered to be of outstanding quality, but are still youthful and need time to reach their full potential.
Circle of Life tells the story of Waterkloof: a once conventionally farmed vineyard with great potential, which—since Paul Boutinot took over the estate—has been transformed by Farm Manager Christiaan Loots and his team into a living, breathing organic and biodynamic vineyard. Waterkloof's goal is to produce balanced and characterful wines using traditional organic and biodynamic methods. The result is superb wines.
The potential of Waterkloof
The Circle of Life wines showcase Waterkloof's potential. All grapes are hand-picked, sorted in the vineyards, and transported to the cellar by horse. To ensure only the finest berries are used, the grapes are also hand-sorted in the winery. The Rhône varieties were fully fermented, and the Bordeaux varieties were destemmed. Fermentation began naturally with yeast present on the grapes to enhance the dominant flavors of the vineyards. The wines remain on the skins for approximately 30 days to allow the tannins to soften. The length of this period depends on the taste. After this, the grapes are gently pressed and aged separately in French oak. After 18 months of aging, the Syrah (26 percent), Merlot (24 percent), Petit Verdor (26 percent), and Cabernet Franc (24 percent) are blended and aged for a further nine months in wooden fermenters. This wine is unfined and gently filtered.Enjoy the perfect blend of Waterkloof
And then it's time to savor. A perfectly integrated blend with great length, combining the spice of the Syrah, the fresh fruit of the Petit Verdot, and the juiciness of the Merlot. The introduction is fresh and fruity with good acidity, evolving into riper flavors and herbaceous notes, with elegant tannins and light acidity on the finish. It is very versatile and will complement a wide variety of dishes.Product details
| Alcohol content | 14.0% |
|---|---|
| Vintage | 2022 |
| Size | 0.75L |
| Region | Western Cape |
| Sub-region | Stellenbosch |
| Land | South Africa |
| Producer | Water gap |
| Varietal(s) | Merlot, Petit Verdot, Syrah |
| Oak aging | Yes, 18 months of separate aging in French oak, followed by 9 months in wooden fermenters after assembly. |
| Ideal serving temperature ? | 16° - 18°C |