Eikendal
Situated in the Cape Wine lands of South Africa the barrel-vaulted cellar buildings of Eikendal Vineyards form a distinctive landmark on the R44 route, positioned between the historic university town of Stellenbosch and the residential suburbs of Somerset West. Since 1981 the 76ha large wine farm has been under the ownership of the Swiss company Substantia AG. The company recognised the great potential of the area and wasted no time in modernising and extending the vineyards and the cellar facilities.
The cooling, moistening effect of the breezes from the nearby Atlantic Ocean combined with the excellent soil structure of Eikendal’s vineyards form ideal conditions for growing noble vines such as the Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Shiraz, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc. Straddling the slopes of the Helderberg mountain range, some of the Cape’s finest wines are produced here.
Eikendal ‘Mon Desir’ Blanc de Blanc Méthode Cap Classique Sparkling 2005 – Matured in bottle on the lees for two years, this wine shows intense yeasty, biscuit characters. Dosage used was some excellent Noble Late Harvest of the same year and sugar was adjusted to 5g/l. Sparkling wine made according to the Cap Classique method is at its best with a bit of maturation, and will keep for at least 5 years.
Eikendal Sauvignon Blanc 2010 - The Eikendal Sauvignon Blanc has lovely melon, Cape gooseberry, guava and a fresh cut grass green aroma on the nose that follows through to the palate. The wine has a full and creamy mouth-feel, with a lively, delicate acidity and a long, pleasing finish.
Eikendal Chenin Blanc 2008 – This aromatic Chenin Blanc is medium to full-bodied. Lots of ripe melon and pineapple aromas and flavours, but you’ll also find some attractive fruitiness that reminds of peaches, apricots and litchi. The oaked component gives the wine good structure, body and a lovely roundness on the palate. 60% barrel fermented in French oak, 30% new.
Eikendal Reserve Chardonnay 2008 – Two different sites were used to create this superbly balanced wine. One site had grapes grown on alluvial sandy soils, the other had grapes grown on mineral rich, red decomposed granite soils. The previous contributing a high profiled flavour spectrum, with abounding sweet fruit; the latter, minerally stealth, lengthy acidity and a promise of longevity. Eikendal Chardonnay is a classic well-balanced wine packed with rich fresh lemony, vanilla and toasty oak flavours. The fine complexity added by oak maturation has created a wine of distinction. Matured for 7 months in French oak barrels. Cellar for up to 5 years from vintage.
Eikendal Cabernet-Shiraz 2004 – This wine has a deep, dense cherry red colour. The nose shows an initial lift of rich plums, spices and liquorice aromas, all framed with stylish vanilla oak. The palate is with deep, dark fruits, black as chocolates and heading into bramble and briar. A generous wine with a rich silky texture that finishes with long, slippery tannins.
Eikendal Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 – This Cabernet Sauvignon is full-bodied and elegant. The nose is full of ripe red and black berry and fruit, with hints of tobacco, chocolate, mint and spice flavours. The palate shows sophisticated oak integration and lively acidity, with firm tannins that are drinking well, but will reward with further ageing.. All in all an intriguing wine that is layered, well structured and very versatile.
Eikendal Reserve Shiraz 2005 – This wine is seductive and has a deep, opaque crimson colour, and a pretty red rim. The nose is layered and filled with spices, prunes, plums and blackberry and chocolate flavours. The palate shows sophisticated oak integration with a supple, lingering finish. The tannins are seamless, helping to create a wine with great age ability.
Eikendal ‘Classique’ Blend 2006 – Sweet, ripe black and red fruit abound, followed up with slight spice and typical earthy, mineral characters. On the palate it grips with fine, silky tannins. This wine typifies what Eikendal is all about – it is a classy, understated red wine with staying power. 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Cabernet Franc, 15% Merlot.
Eikendal Noble Late Harvest Chenin Blanc 2007 – This liquid golden asset is a brilliantly concentrated Noble Late Harvest made from Chenin grapes. The honeyed bouquet is layered with sun dried peach and apricot aromas and the typical flavours of Botrytis cinerea (ripe pineapple). On the palate there is a taste explosion of ripe pineapples. It is an elegant but flavour packed wine with a good fruit and fresh acidity for long ageing.
