Alto Stellenbosch Rouge 2020 – 750ml Terroir

91pts James Suckling

Aromas of blackberries and cassis with notes of black tea, cloves and walnuts. Medium- to full-bodied with fine, chalky tannins and a round texture. Firm and tense with a lingering finish. Sustainable. Drink now.

Winemaker Notes

The bright, rich red Alto Rouge consists of an exquisite blend of five varietals – Cabernet Franc, Shiraz, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot. Rich, dark fruit flavours supported by cedarwood spice and hints of chocolate dominate the nose. Beautiful dark fruit with blackcurrant and hints of dried fennel. The palate is muscular with streamlined, supple tannins and a lengthy finish. Excellent drinkability and aging potential.

Perfect on its own or with roast chicken, grilled beef, duck and even a selection of preserves and matured cheeses.

Blend: 28% Cabernet Franc, 23% Shiraz, 22% Merlot, 21% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 6% Petit Verdot

Winery Notes

Alto, situated on the slopes of the Helderberg Mountain in the Stellenbosch district, dates back to 1693 when it was part of a much larger farm called Groenrivier (Green River), granted to a free burgher by Governor Simon van der Stel. In 1919 the owner of the farm, Hennie Malan, sold off half the land to his brother-in-law and set about planting vines on his remaining portion, focusing exclusively on red varieties. He named the farm Alto, a reference to its altitude (some slopes rise as high as 500m above sea level) and his striving for excellence. The cellar was built in 1920. Alto has 93 hectares under vines. The trellised vineyards cling to the high granite slopes, ideal for the cultivation of red wine varieties. Harvesting at Alto traditionally only starts at the end of February / beginning March due to the cooling influence of the southerly breezes during this time. This ensures gradual ripening of the grapes and contributes to the development of delicate flavour in the fruit.

Vineyard Notes

The 5 varietals were handpicked from trellised vineyards which grow in Hutton and Glenrosa soils. The north and north-west facing vineyards are situated against the slopes of the Helderberg Mountain, some 100m to 500m above sea level, and benefit from the cooling effects of the afternoon maritime breezes during the ripening season. At the time of picking the vines were between 4 and 27 years old and yielded 6 to 9 tons per hectare.