OVER the past couple of years, has there been a South African Cabernet Sauvignon producer more successful on the world stage than the Ellis family on the Helshoogte Pass, Stellenbosch? Their current-release 2015 Jonkershoek Cab won gold medals at the Decanter awards and International Wine Challenge (IWC) after one of the most outstanding reviews on Winemag.co.za – this after the 2014 vintage had achieved gold at IWC, double gold at the Veritas Awards and an excellent rating on Winemag. (The second-tier Neil Ellis Stellenbosch Cab 2014 and 2015 also got the nod from the panel of Winemag judges, both scoring 90/100)

Most of the Jonkershoek Valley is a nature reserve well known by hikers, mountain-bikers and picnickers for its trails, fynbos and waterfalls. The vines are at the mouth of the valley, and it’s on the slopes of the Oude Nektar farm that Neil Ellis has access to some of the coolest vineyards in the winelands of Stellenbosch. The combination of consistently good fruit in the hands of cellarmaster Neil Ellis and winemaker Warren Ellis have resulted in one of the best track records, as reflected in the SA Wine Classification.

Neil Ellis Jonkershoek Cabernet Sauvignon 2015

First vintage from one of the newest vineyards in the Jonkershoek Valley. Fermentation initiated in steel tanks and completed in barrel. 18 months in new French oak.
Alc 14.5 | R/S 2.1 | TA 5.9 | pH 3.62
Winemaker’s Tasting Note: the nose shows restraint, blue and black berry perfumes, cedary aromas; fresh followed by fine but dense tannins; built to last and for early drinking; will benefit from decanting.
R375 pb at the cellar in Stellenbosch.