Ahrens, Bottelary Seventy N 2023

Why we love this bottle

Albert Ahrens learned his trade in France, Spain and Champagne, and started on his own in South Africa in 2008. He has no vineyard of his own. Every year he drives around forty five thousand kilometres, looking for those few old vines in that one spot he really wants. For him, every wine has an address. We love it because, as Albert says himself, you do not drink a grape, you drink an address.

This address is the north of Stellenbosch. He makes the wine the way red wine was made there in the seventies, mostly Cabernet Sauvignon with a little Cabernet Franc and Cinsault. Albert hopes that old school style becomes the face of his region again. Only about sixteen hundred bottles were made. Classic and firm. Blackcurrant and blackberry, with a beautiful dry finish. The bit of Cabernet Franc and Cinsault keeps it fresh.