Saboteur 2022 Red Blend
A later than normal vintage due to cooler weather and good rains, has given us good acidity and freshness this year.
The Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache Noir and Mourvèdre were all fermented in small batches in open bins. We continued experimenting with stalks in the open bins to add freshness and to balance the dark fruit. The Shiraz portion was fermented in stainless steel tanks as usual with regular pump overs. All the components were pressed directly into barrel and aged separately. Some of the batches did malolactic fermentation in barrel which gives a fuller mouth feel and structure. This vintage was in barrel for 12 months with 10% new French Oak.
During the blending process, great care was taken to follow the house style of Saboteur, which is increasingly building up a huge following, ie. bold juicy fruit, good spice and soft tannins. The blend this year is 52% Shiraz, 21% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Mourvèdre and 12% Grenache Noir.
Grapes were sourced from five vineyard sites:
Bot River, Luddite Grenache Noir harvested on 23rd & 26th February 2022 Bot River, Luddite young block Mourvèdre harvested on 1st March 2022 Walker Bay, Ou Meul Shiraz harvested on 1st March 2022 Bot River, Gabriëlskloof Mourvèdre harvested on 10th March 2022 Bot River, Waterleliefontein Shiraz harvested on 10th March 2022 Bot River, Gabriëlskloof Shiraz harvested on 10th & 17th March 2022 Bot River, Anysbos Grenache Noir harvested on 18th March 2022 Bot River, Luddite young block Cabernet Sauvignon harvested on 1st April 2022 Bot River, Gabriëlskloof Cabernet Sauvignon harvested on 2nd April 2022 Walker Bay, Ou Meul Cabernet Sauvignon harvested on 2nd April 2022 Bot River, Waterleliefontein Grenache Noir harvested on 2nd April 202221
Average analysis of fruit at harvest: 23.2° Balling, TA – 6.2 g/l, pH – 3.55
Tasting Notes as at 7th March 2025:
Appearance: Ruby red.
Nose: Ripe cherry, spice, cinnamon, mulberry tart with a hint of toastiness.
Palate: Juicy red fruit on entry. Good fruit sweetness in the middle. Long, balanced slightly decadent finish with lingering dark fruit.
Analysis of the wine: Alcohol: 14.06% pH: 3.44 TA: 5.6 g/l RS: 1.8 g/l
19 400 bottles of this vintage were produced with 1 000 magnums.
Tasting notes dated 11th October 2023.
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