The most recent launch of Delheim Estate’s renowned Grand Reserve serves as a testament to the exceptional quality of the 2020 red wine vintage in the Cape region. Delheim’s Grand Reserve, a red Bordeaux-style blend hailing from the esteemed Stellenbosch’s Simonsberg appellation, has, since its inaugural vintage in 1981, established itself as one of South Africa’s premier red wines. The Grand Reserve 2020 stands out as a pinnacle representation of this wine’s illustrious history.
Crafted from a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (69%), Cabernet Franc (12.5%), Petit Verdot (12.5%), and Merlot (6%), the Delheim Grand Reserve 2020 beautifully captures the nuances of a classic Stellenbosch vintage. Roelof Lotriet, Delheim’s winemaker, recounts that the 2020 harvest experienced favorable conditions during berry-set, flowering, and veraison, with grapes ripening evenly in a moderate summer.
Lotriet remarks, “In the vineyards of our Grand Reserve, nestled in the Simonsberg foothills, cooling breezes were abundant, complemented by timely rainfall just prior to harvest. Yields exceeded the previous year, which still bore the impact of the Cape drought. The resulting grapes displayed concentrated flavors due to the smaller, compact bunches. Upon their arrival at the cellar and observing the uniformly ripened clusters, our team unanimously recognized the exceptional potential of the 2020 vintage for our Grand Reserve blend.”
Delheim’s Grand Reserve vineyards grace the estate’s Vera Cruz property, situated between 220m and 280m above sea level. With their southwest orientation and roots deeply embedded in decomposed granite, these vineyards epitomize the Simonsberg terroir.
Throughout the vinification and maturation process in the cellar, the four distinct varietals used in the Grand Reserve are carefully segregated until the final blending before bottling. Lotriet elucidates, “By treating Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, Cabernet Franc, and Merlot individually during fermentation and barrel aging, we achieve a more precise and focused blend. Post-bottling, the wine’s components harmonize over 18 months, resulting in the classic red wine character for which Grand Reserve is renowned.”
Each variety undergoes a brief period of punch-downs and pump-overs during fermentation, lasting around ten days. Following fermentation, the wines rest on the grape skins for an additional three weeks, maximizing color extraction and red wine tannins.
“The maturation takes place in 300-liter French oak barrels, with 30% being new barrels,” Lotriet explains. “These slightly larger barrels contribute depth and richness to the wine. The 30% new wood strikes the right balance, lending structure, and texture while allowing supple, chalky tannins to evolve during the 18-month wood aging of the four components.”
Upon completing maturation, the wine is meticulously blended and bottled without fining agents. Lotriet emphasizes that the esteemed reputation of Delheim’s Grand Reserve is attributed to its legacy and the unique terroir that shapes the vines.
“The extended sunlight exposure in the Grand Reserve vineyards ensures even ripening and heightened fruit concentration compared to red cultivars grown in the higher Simonsberg regions,” Lotriet notes. “This imparts Grand Reserve with a distinct flavor profile characterized by subtle elegance, captivating chalky tannins, and a delightful fruit-forward nature.”
The legacy of Delheim’s Grand Reserve traces back to the late 1970s when the former owner, Spatz Sperling, and winemaker Kevin Arnold resolved to enhance Delheim’s focus on red wines by creating an iconic wine of unparalleled quality.
“Sperling sent Kevin to California to study the use of small oak barrels, a rarity in the Cape at the time. Upon Kevin’s return, they committed to crafting Delheim’s inaugural premium red wine,” Lotriet recounts. “This endeavor began with the 1981 vintage, driven by the aspiration to showcase the farm’s utmost capabilities. Thus, Grand Reserve was born.”
The initial three vintages of Grand Reserve exclusively featured Cabernet Sauvignon. Starting in 1984, the wine evolved into a Bordeaux-style blend, with Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot artfully integrated to complement the dominant Cabernet Sauvignon component, guided by the preferences of the winemaking team.
“Cabernet Sauvignon remains the driving force behind Delheim’s Grand Reserve, while other Bordeaux varieties are incorporated based on each vintage’s quality,” Lotriet asserts. “Regarding quality, no compromises are made. In years when the fruit’s standard doesn’t align with the esteemed reputation associated with Grand Reserve, no Grand Reserve is produced. An icon like Grand Reserve can only uphold a singular reputation: being recognized as the absolute best offering from Delheim.”
