Saboteur 2023 Red Blend
A warm, dry lead up to December 2022 which resulted in a small, early picked crop. However, it was nice and cool during the harvest which gave us good acidity.
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 16% 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. With this juicy entry in mind, the portion of Cabernet Sauvignon is only 5% this year. The blend this year is 55% Shiraz, 20% Mourvèdre, 20% Grenache Noir and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon.
Grapes were sourced from three vineyard sites:
Bot River, Luddite Grenache Noir harvested on 6th & 13th February 2023 Bot River, Luddite young block Cabernet Sauvignon harvested on 14th February 2023 Bot River, Luddite young block Mourvèdre harvested on 14th February 2023 Bot River, Gabriëlskloof Mourvèdre harvested on 14th February 2023 Bot River, Gabriëlskloof Shiraz harvested on 14th February 2023 Bot River, Gabriëlskloof Cabernet Sauvignon harvested on 24th February 2023 Bot River, Waterleliefontein Grenache Noir harvested on 24th February 2023 Bot River, Gabriëlskloof Shiraz harvested on 10th March 2023
Average analysis of fruit at harvest: 23.2° Balling, TA – 6.5 g/l, pH – 3.47
Tasting Notes: Appearance: Ruby red with a hint of purple. Nose: Dark cherry & damson plum with all spice & cinnamon. Palate: Juicy red fruit on entry. A vibrant touch of sour cherry in the middle balanced by long succulent fruit flavours.
Analysis of the wine: Alcohol: 14.15% pH: 3.53 TA: 5.2 g/l RS: 2.0 g/l
5 269 bottles of this vintage were produced with 1 035 magnums. Tasting notes dated 10th Dec 2025.
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