Great Heart Franschhoek Cabernet Franc 2022

Great Heart Franschhoek Cabernet Franc

Region: Stellenbosch, Coastal Region, South Africa

Vintage: 2020

Bottle size: 75cl

Grape: Cabernet Franc

ABV: 14%

A classic Cabernet Franc profile with delicate aromatics of fresh herbs, fynbos, bergamot, and ripe blackberry. The palate is beautifully balanced, combining fine, silky tannins with a vibrant, succulent freshness. The finish is long, dry, and elegantly persistent.

The Franschhoek Cabernet Franc is sourced from vines planted on deep, loam-rich soils on the lower eastern slopes of the Franschhoek Mountains.

Cool, hand-harvested grapes were destemmed, sorted, and crushed into the tank. As with the estate's other wines, minimal SO2 was used, and no other additions were made. After about four days in the tank, fermentation began with indigenous yeasts and the cap was kept moist for one to two gentle punch downs per day, depending upon the tank. Fermentation lasted seven to 10 days before the must was left on its skin for three to seven weeks, again dependent upon development. The must was then pressed to barrel for malolactic fermentation and racked to blend the wine, returned to barrel before it was later bottled, unfined and unfiltered.

Founded in 2021, Great Heart is a staff empowerment project collectively owned by the winery workers of Mullineux & Leeu Family Wines. The logo, a flock of Wagtails, refers to South African folklore, in which the Wagtail bird is often depicted as a symbol of bravery and selflessness. Under the mentorship of Chris and Andrea Mullineux, Great Heart’s head winemaker Gynore Hendricks and his team uphold a similar philosophy. Following sustainable viticultural practices and minimal intervention winemaking, they produce wines focusing on single sites and natural fruit intensity.

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