Elim translates to, “Place of God,” and is a wine ward located in the Cape Agulhas region, and is the southernmost on the Western Cape. Elim is at the meeting point of the warmer Indian Ocean, and the cold Atlantic Ocean. Wine connoisseurs claim that it is the climate that makes the wine so good in Elim. Elim is located 20 kilometers from Agulhas.
German Moravian missionaries planted the first vines in 1842, as they needed wine for communion. The cool breezes from the south-west and southeast meet on the vineyards helping to prolong the growing season. Because of the gradual ripening process, the grapes are given plenty of fruity characters. Planting in the region ended over one hundred years ago, but resumed in 1997.
Elim has a variety of soils that include weathered shale, and laterite and sandstone that help contribute to the intensity and quality of the wines. The terroir in Elim is best suited for Sauvignon Blanc; however, the late and long ripening season is excellent for red grapes like Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon. There are several fresh water springs in Elim that leads to speculation of a huge underground lake underneath the coastal shelf.
Indwe Pinotage Coastal Region is made from 100 percent Pinotage.
Pinotage is a true South African grape variety, Our signature grape smilar to the Blue Crane being our national bird. Indwe Pinotage grapes are meticulously sourced from our grape producers along the Coastal region of the Western Cape ensuring complexity, depth and purity of fruit. The wine is layered with sweet cherry notes, and subtle hints of mocha and vanilla flavors.
B Leighton Petit Verdot is made from 100 percent Petit Verdot.
Beautiful, lively and focused at first approach. Expressing black cassis, blackberry, brambles and thyme combining with crushed gravel, pencil shavings and floral notes. It is a fantastic expression of Petit Verdot that is rich and velvet on the palate, all at the same time. So much depth and length it seriously takes your breath away.
Review:
Lastly, the 2016 Petit Verdot comes from a higher elevation block and was brought up in 40% new French oak. It has a great bouquet of white pepper, chocolatey dark fruits, tobacco, and a kiss of violets to go with a full-bodied, incredible elegant profile on the palate. You don’t find Petit Verdot with this level of finesse very often, and it has silky tannins, good mid-palate concentration, and a great finish. It’s another stunning wine from Leighton I’d be thrilled to drink over the coming 10-15 years.
-Jeb Dunnuck 94 Points
Tenuta di Arceno Arcanum is made from 74% Cabernet Franc, 10% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon and 6% Petit Verdot.
The dark and intense fruit aromas jump out of the glass with ripe plums, blackberries on the vine, and tones of sweet mint. The mouthfeel is full, balanced by gentle acids and rich tannins. Flavors are reminiscent of dark chocolate covered cherries and spicy black pepper. The long finish shows cigar box and cedar spice. A vintage that will age well into the next decade.
Review:
Lots of blackberries and walnuts on the nose with some violets. Full-bodied, yet lively and agile, with polished tannins that run across the palate and show class and focus. Bright and vivid. Needs three or four years to come together. One of the best I have had from here.
-James Suckling 96 Points