The Cape Doctor is the name for the strong south-eastern wind that blows from False Bay. It can play havoc with the vines at flowering but does ensure long ripening periods for the grapes, which produces concentrated berries with fantastically firm acidity. Journey's End Cape Doctor 2018 was produced from a composition of 55.5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Merlot, 5.5% Malbec, 5.5% Cabernet Franc and 5.5% Petit Verdot. The grapes from each block were picked and treated separately utilising both stainless steel tanks as well as 5,000-litre truncated open top casks. Each varietal underwent a 4-day pre-fermentation cold soak before fermentation was initiated. After fermentation, only the Cabernet Sauvignon was subjected to a two-week post fermentation maceration to ensure a solid tannic structure before the wine was subjected to a 22-month barrel aging period. The Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot components are matured in 100% new French oak with the other varietals being matured in second-fill French oak. The selected barrels were then blended before being filtered and bottled. The wine is fined with bentonite which means it is vegan friendly. Residual sugar: 3.7g/l. Bottled at 14.5%. (Bottle size 750ml)

Nose: Cassis and rich fruitcake on the nose accompanied by cinnamon spice and dark chocolate from generous oak aging.

Palate: Concentrated dark berries are complimented by a creamy texture with soft elegant tannins.

Finish: A beautiful long-lasting finish.

Journey's End, a boutique winery and vineyard on the mountain slopes above Sir Lowry’s Pass Village near Somerset West in the Helderberg basin is owned by the Gabb Family, originally from Shropshire in the UK. The Gabb family took control of the wine farm, surrounded by 20ha of vineyards, in 1995. By 2011 they had grown the estate to 120ha.

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