All the latest releases, news and offers from the team at Ernie Els Wines.
1. The science and the story of the Ernie Els Wines harvest 2016
It is a typical Autumn day in Stellenbosch, which started off with a crispy cool morning and has now evolved into a beautiful sunny day. The vineyards are turning different shades of yellow and orange, painting Ernie Els Wines into a canvas of golden hues on the Helderberg mountain. Some of the vines have started to drop their leaves preparing for the cold season ahead. The hustle and bustle of vintage seems long forgotten as the winery has started to settle into its winter rhythm. Harvest equipment has been cleaned and packed away until next year and most of the 2016 batches have found their way into barrels starting the maturation process.
Our last grapes made their way to the cellar on 4 April 2016 and marked the end of another successful season at Ernie Els Wines, which began what seemed an eternity ago, in Winter 2015. We saw a lower than average rainfall during the 2015 winter, but were fortunate to still experience enough cold days for an even and healthy bud burst. With the change of season, the warm weather made a welcome return in early Spring, ideal for shoot development, flowering and fruit set. Continuous dry weather and many hot days made vineyard management fairly easy during the rest of the season. Not a lot of spraying was required in the vineyards, due to the warm weather and low disease pressure. We did, however, notice less growth in the vineyards during the growing season leaving most of the vineyards with the same amount of bunches as previous years, but smaller, more concentrated berries. A typical reaction by the vines to compensate for the dry conditions.
Summer saw some extreme heat conditions from mid-December through to the first week in February with temperatures soaring to the high 30s and some days reaching well above 40ºC. During extremely hot weather, the vine shuts down respiration and withdraws the water from the bunches to help them survive. These weather conditions brought the harvest date of early ripening varieties like Merlot forward by almost 21 days, which meant that 2016 was the earliest recorded harvest since 2005 at Ernie Els Wines.
Given the early start we all thought that the harvest would have drawn to a close by the end of February, but by mid-February the evenings became much cooler, which slowed down maturation of grape varieties like Cabernet Sauvignon. The cooler nights were perfect for a more steady maturation and ripening period, which meant that we could pick at perfect ripeness. This took pressure off the cellar so we could take our time with different fermentation styles, skin maceration and pressing.
In most years we have a typical skin-to-pulp ratio of 12:1 on our Cabernet Sauvignons. This year it was closer to 16:1. As colour and tannins are mostly found in the skins, our young Cabernets are showing loads of intensity in colour and tannins with good potential for maturation.
We treated the small berries that developed in the vineyards with great sensitivity, careful not to do extended maceration. We also adapted our fermentation techniques on some of our Cabernet Sauvignon batches by not overdoing the pump overs, which gave us a good balance between extraction and flavour.
2016 had its challenges and it is still early days, but so far the wines are all showing great vintage specific intensity in flavours and aromas. We think it deserves a solid 8 out of 10 and are expecting great things from the class of 2016.
A brief synopsis and introduction to the class of 2016:
1. Cabernet Sauvignon is showing great colour with good tannins and flavour. Typical Helderberg aromas with vintage specific intensity.
2. Shiraz has good mid-pallet weight and well integrated tannins with lower alcohol percentages due to ripening during the last week of February.
3. Merlot is showing lovely balance with great length.
4. Malbec is showing typical bright fruit with lots of Turkish delight.
5. Cabernet Franc is progressing steadily with good flavour concentration.
6. Petit Verdot has typical flavours with excellent potential to develop during maturation.
2. Introducing Andrew Harris – Head of Sales & Marketing at Ernie Els Wines
Ernie Els Wines is pleased to introduce our new Head of Sales & Marketing, Andrew Harris. With strong expertise in the South African and International wine industry, Andrew presents an invaluable blend of experience, passion and innovation. Originally from Greytown in Kwa-Zulu Natal, Andrew took the journey to Stellenbosch to complete his Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Stellenbosch. It was here, in the heart of the winelands, where he experienced the first taste of fine wine. Upon returning from London post studies, Andrew was involved with a small, quality-focused winery in the Banhoek Valley and thereafter Anthonij Rupert Wyne in Franschhoek and has never looked back.
Andrew furthered his wine knowledge by completing Cape Wine Academy and WSET courses. “I believe each wine has its moment and it is up to us to try to match the correct wine with the correct moment and enjoy it for what it is. Wine should be a reflection of its terroir in order to best showcase its personality,” explains Andrew on his wine philosophy.
“I have always admired the Ernie Els brand and wines, because there has never been a compromise in quality. It is the best or nothing. The brand has been built over years of consistent decision making and commitment to excellence. This is a major strength and we will continue to focus on this, while always innovating. The brand is at a very exciting stage and I can’t wait to be a part of the next phase of quality focussed growth,” adds Andrew.
Andrew will work closely with wine maker and managing director, Louis Strydom, to continue to grow the vision to become the leading Cabernet Sauvignon producer in South Africa. Please feel free to contact Andrew Harris regarding any marketing and sales related enquiries: andrew@ernieelswines.com.
3. New release of the king of cultivars, Ernie Els Cabernet Sauvignon 2014
Ernie Els Wines is perched high up on the north facing slopes of the Helderberg mountain range in Stellenbosch, with the ideal terroir to produce ultra-premium Cabernet Sauvignon. From single varietal wines to the building blocks of powerful red blends, Cabernet Sauvignon is the golden fibre that threads through the Ernie Els Wines portfolio.
Winemaker, Louis Strydom, showcases his flair for the cultivar with the single variety Ernie Els Cabernet Sauvignon. The 2014 is a lighter vintage showing the delicious red fruit spectrum of Cabernet Sauvignon. The nose tempts with notes of coconut, vanilla, raspberries and sweet spice which leads to a polished, supple palate with hints of fine white chocolate. The richness of cranberries and morello cherry gives length while the salty liquorice edge offers freshness and elegance. Crunchy, red-fruited tannins melt into a soft, slightly creamy finish.
Ernie Els wine club members can now order the Ernie Els Cabernet Sauvignon 2014 and receive a 15% discount off the cellar door price. To join the Ernie Els Wine Club, please visit www.ernieelswines.com. Membership benefits include:
– A 15% discount on Cellar Door Prices on all wines
– Early access to new vintages and the option on older vintage releases
– Regular special wine offers
– Unlimited complimentary wine tasting at Ernie Els Wines for club member and one guest
– The option to send wine directly from Ernie Els Wines as a gift to family, friends or clients
– Invitations to local and countrywide tastings, dinners and events
*Please note transport will be quoted separately and operates on 7-14 day delivery cycle
** The club will be based in South Africa, but international members are welcome, but will be quoted separately on transport charges.
***For North America, our wines are available on www.uncorked.com or www.cape-ardor.com
****For Europe, our wines are available on www.taste-of-africa.eu
4. Come and enjoy our delicious new menu at Ernie Els Wines
We invite you to join us and celebrate the last days of Summer and embrace Winter with our Chef’s Autumn creations, including a salad of grilled chicken, wild rocket, pear, cranberries and roasted cashews. There is always something about the bright sunshine with the underlying touch of cool air that sparks the thought, Winter is crawling closer. This time of the year you can experience the best of two of our favourite seasons. Sunny days reminds you Summer is still lingering and yet the freezing cool air in the mornings and evenings is a little warning that Winter is approaching…
Our Chef has customised our lunch menu to suit each season and we would like to introduce you to our Autumn delights for 2016. For those of you who would still like to enjoy a fresh crispy salad before the Winter is upon us, you will be happy to know that our Autumn Salad, with grilled chicken, wild rocket, pear, cranberries and roasted cashews is an absolute stunner. Our Barbeque Beef Burger topped with aged cheddar, coleslaw and pickled onion, served with hand cut chips, is an excellent option should you prefer something a bit more hearty.
Of course, our menu also caters for all the wine lovers who would prefer something lighter to nibble. We offer a Cheese & Charcuterie Platter with a selection of cheeses, cold meats and preserves, served with homemade bread.
What are you waiting for? Come enjoy the Autumn days with all of us at Ernie Els Wines. Tasting room kitchen opening times are from Tuesdays to Saturdays from 09:00 to 17:00.
5. Ernie Els Wines supports Autism Awareness Month
April is global Autism Awareness Month and Ernie Els Wines made the best of our time whilst visiting the USA market by attending an Els For Autism Foundation event in Jupiter Florida. Naturally, the event was held at the newly built Els Centre of Excellence which played host to no less than 300 patrons whom enjoyed a vast selection of fine food, craft beer and of course Wine! Patrons were also invited to bid for a wide variety of Auction items, the proceeds of which would benefit the cause.
Manning the wine stand was Monica Caday (Els Group) and Louw Strydom (Ernie Els Wines), as they poured the Big Easy Chenin Blanc, Ernie Els Cabernet Sauvignon and Ernie Els Merlot. The hit wine of the night was the Merlot, which again bolsters the rumours that Merlot as a category is making a return as the ‘go to grape’.
For more information on Els for Autism, please visit the website: www.elsforautism.com.
