The latest release of Delheim Estate’s flagship Grand Reserve highlights why the 2021 vintage is poised to be one of the Cape’s most exceptional red wine years in recent history. Delheim Grand Reserve, a Bordeaux-style blend from the esteemed Stellenbosch estate in the Simonsberg appellation, has been celebrated as one of South Africa’s premier red wines since its debut in 1981. The newly released 2021 vintage is already being hailed as one of the finest expressions of this iconic wine in its storied legacy.
Crafted from a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (70%), Cabernet Franc (15%), Merlot (10%), and Petit Verdot (5%), the Delheim Grand Reserve 2021 captures the essence of a standout year for Stellenbosch winemaking.
Roelof Lotriet, Delheim’s winemaker, attributes the success of the 2021 vintage to the ideal growing conditions. “The season began with mild weather during berry-set, flowering, and veraison, followed by a moderate summer that allowed the grapes to ripen evenly,” he explains. “The vineyards, located in the foothills of the Simonsberg, benefited from cooling breezes and avoided extreme temperature spikes, which promoted extended and balanced ripening. This resulted in exceptional fruit concentration across all the varietals, providing a rich and expressive foundation for the Grand Reserve blend.”
The Grand Reserve vineyards are situated on Delheim’s Vera Cruz property, at elevations ranging from 220 to 280 meters above sea level. With a south-west orientation and rooted in decomposed granite soils—a hallmark of Simonsberg terroir—the vines enjoy optimal sunlight exposure, contributing to the wine’s distinctive character.
In the winery, each varietal is vinified and aged separately, only blended just before bottling. “This approach allows us to craft a more precise and focused blend,” says Lotriet. “After bottling, the wine spends 18 months in the bottle, allowing the components to harmonize into the classic red wine profile that Grand Reserve is renowned for.”
Fermentation involves brief punch-downs and pump-overs, typically lasting around ten days, followed by three weeks of skin contact to maximize color and tannin extraction. The wine is then aged in 300-liter French oak barrels, with 30% being new. “The larger barrel size adds depth and complexity, while the proportion of new oak provides structure and texture without overpowering the wine,” Lotriet notes. “This balance allows the development of supple, chalky tannins during the 18-month maturation period.”
Once maturation is complete, the wine is blended and bottled without fining agents, preserving its natural integrity.
Lotriet attributes the enduring reputation of Delheim Grand Reserve to both its legacy and the unique terroir of the vineyards. “The Grand Reserve vines benefit from extended sunlight exposure, ensuring even ripening and greater fruit concentration compared to higher-altitude vineyards in the Simonsberg,” he says. “This contributes to the wine’s signature profile: a harmonious blend of subtle elegance, refined tannins, and vibrant fruit-forward flavors.”
The story of Delheim Grand Reserve dates back to the late 1970s, when Spatz Sperling, then owner of Delheim, and winemaker Kevin Arnold decided to elevate the estate’s red wine production by creating a flagship wine of unparalleled quality. “Sperling sent Arnold to California to study the use of small oak barrels, which were uncommon in the Cape at the time,” Lotriet recounts. “Upon his return, they collaborated to produce Delheim’s first premium red wine, the 1981 Grand Reserve, with the goal of showcasing the estate’s finest potential.”
The inaugural vintages of Grand Reserve were 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, but since 1984, it has evolved into a Bordeaux-style blend, with Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot complementing the dominant Cabernet Sauvignon. “Cabernet Sauvignon remains the backbone of Grand Reserve, but the other varietals are carefully selected based on the quality of each vintage,” Lotriet explains. “Quality is non-negotiable. If the fruit doesn’t meet the high standards associated with Grand Reserve, we simply don’t produce it that year. An icon wine like this must always represent the very best Delheim has to offer.”
With its rich history, meticulous craftsmanship, and exceptional terroir, Delheim Grand Reserve continues to stand as a testament to the artistry and dedication of South African winemaking.
