The High Road, the petite boutique winery located in the vibrant Bosman’s Crossing precinct of Stellenbosch, has just released the 2011 vintages of its elegant Bordeaux-style blends.
Crafted from selected, low yielding Stellenbosch vineyards in the heart of red wine country that lend great concentration of flavours to the wine, the 2011 vintages of the flagship Director’s Reserve and the Classique are both wines of great elegance and distinction. These wines have an impressive lineage spanning more than a decade with two Veritas Double Gold medals and a Classic Wine Trophy already in The High Road hall of fame.
The High Road Director’s Reserve 2011 is a Cabernet Sauvignon driven blend of four classic Bordeaux varieties matured in 100% new French oak. Beautifully integrated and complex on the nose and the palate, this wine is intensely rich in fruit and wood nuances supported by a backbone of full, ripe tannins. A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (57%), Merlot (27%), Cabernet Franc (13%) and Petit Verdot (3%), the wine is a definitive expression of the 2011 vintage with its elegance and richly layered fullness.
“An amalgamation of four Bordeaux varieties, the 2011 Director’s Reserve is a fine example of a wine’s ability to allow the different components to work together to create a structured and well integrated wine with intense depth and complexity,” says winemaker Mark Carmichael-Green, who believes the wine will reveal even more vibrant cassis and berry fruit if left to develop further over time.
Differing slightly in style with less exposure to new wood, The High Road Classique 2011 is an accessible fruit forward wine with its signature of soft, elegant tannins. This wine is composed of Cabernet Sauvignon (58%), Merlot (33%) and Cabernet Franc (9%) and teems with black cherries, berries and mulberries on the nose and palate.
“Never overpowering, the wood brings a balance to the wine and is well integrated with the fruit whilst the tannins are subtle, soft and full,” explains Mark who feels although the wine is eminently drinkable now, it will age well with careful cellaring.
Founded in 2003 by owners Les Sweidan and Mike Church, both insurance industry kingpins with a passion for wine, The High Road is committed to producing exceptional South African wines with the elegance, intrinsic depth and uniqueness of the classic Bordeaux red at its core but expressing a sense of place that is unique to Stellenbosch.
The Director’s Reserve 2011 sells for R245 per bottle at the cellar door while the Classique 2011 is available at R115. Wine lovers who join The High Road Wine Club benefit from a 20% discount on all wine purchases. Following the time honoured model of small Bordeaux producers in France, The High Road prefers to sell its wines directly to consumers through its wine club as well as selected specialist wine shops, restaurants and special interest groups. Orders of 12 bottles or more are delivered free ofcharge and all members qualify for VIP invitations to sample new releases, complimentary tastings at the cellar, as well as preferential access to limited release, older vintages and exclusive collections. For further information visit www.thehighroad.co.zaor email [email protected].
