Description

Mentors Cabernet Franc 2020

VINTAGE CONDITIONS: The 2020 vintage was characterized by generally
favourable conditions, improved winter rainfall preceding the growing season
and generally mild conditions. This resulted in improved crops in particular in the
coastal areas or Swartland, Wellington, Paarl and Stellenbosch. The vintage
period was lower in disease pressure than the 2019 vintage but some rainfall
during vintage did require careful management. The spring period was
unusually warm prompting early bud break and accelerated early growth while,
the summer through vintage was mild in terms of temperature with fewer peaks
or periods of high temperature. This resulted in an early vintage start and a
compressed February finishing earlier than in recent years. Wines show great
retention of freshness and flavour with good tannin development and aging
potential. We are hugely excited about the quality of the 2020 Vintage.

WINEMAKING: Grapes were harvested at optimal ripeness and hand-sorted in
the cellar to ensure only the best fruit was used for fermentation. After two days
of cold maceration the juice was inoculated with a selected yeast strain.
Alcoholic fermentation lasted approximately six days and during this time, the
wine was pumped over every four hours. It was pressed, then settled and
transferred to barrel for malolactic fermentation. The wine was then racked and
cleaned, and returned to barrel for maturation. After 12 months the best wines
were selected to mature for a further six months. In total over the 18-month
maturation period, the wine was racked twice. This wine is truly about selecting
the best-of-the-best.

MATURATION: The wine spent 18 months in 70% new French oak barrels.

WINE DESCRIPTION: This wine shows aromas of spice, pencil shavings, fynbos
and dark cherries. The complex, layered palate delivers a silky soft finish with
powdery tannins. The juicy characteristics of this extraordinary wine contribute
to its bold structure and complexity.

SERVING SUGGESTION: Enjoy the wine on its own, with beef fillet or dishes of
tender veal.

CELLARING POTENTIAL: This wine can be enjoyed now, but cellaring for an
additional five to eight years will be rewarded.