The Rhebokskloof Estate
Rhebokskloof dates back to 19 August 1692, when Simon van der Stel, then governor of the Cape, awarded a free grant of land to Dirk van Schalkwyk. The initial large piece of land was divided into six different farms between the First and Second World Wars, and sold off.
The original farm was only reclaimed in 1986, when new owners bought back the other five farms. An early dwelling on the farm built around 1692 has since been restored as the main homestead. A later dwelling is dated 1797, and is built in the traditional Cape Dutch style, and has also been restored to its former splendor.
Rhebokskloof’s current owners bought the estate in 2006.
The Rhebokskloof Cellar and the Winemaker
Rhebokskloof’s winemaker, Rolanie Lotz, studied cellar technology at Elsenburg Agricultural College in Stellenbosch and joined Rhebokskloof in 2007 after being winemaker at Simonsvlei for four years. Her career highlight thus far has been winning a gold medal and fifth place overall for Rhebokskloof 2007 Black Marble Syrah at the 2010 Syrah du Monde wine competition in France. Rolanie’s passion for Shiraz and her unique winemaking skills is reflected in our award-winning wines.
Rhebokskloof’s cellar makes use of traditional techniques when creating wine, forgoing extensive technology for time-trusted approaches that yields exceptional wine. During the pump-over process in harvest time, some of the grapes are pressed by hand.
The cellar is focused on biodiversity and creates an eco-friendly culture through initiatives like using ‘tree-free’ wine labels. Rhebokskloof is the first South African wine estate to use labels made from 100% renewable sugar cane fibre that are completely wood-free.
The Rhebokskloof Vineyards
Karin Louw is Rhebokskloof’s viticulturist. She studied cellar technology at Elsenburg Agricultural College in Stellenbosch and then gained experience abroad, working in France and New Zealand. She has been working at Rhebokskloof since 2007, first as assistant winemaker and since 2010 as viticulturist. One of her career highlights at Rhebokskloof was being instrumental in the vineyard replanting program on the estate.
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The Grade Napa Cabernet Sauvignon Winfield Vineyard is made from Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon.
“This wine expresses a focused balancing act of dark, rich black fruit, and a fine tannin structure, illuminated through the core with a laser-like acidity. The wine displays a deep purple-red hue with a cranberry halo. Aromas of cassis, cinnamon, citrus oil, roasted meat, and lilac swell from the glass.
“The palate is marked by a wave of jet-black brambly fruit up front, followed by an exotic spice mid-palate and a long, complex finish that lasts and lasts expressing notes of flowering jasmine, and oolong tea. The silky tannins hold everything together and will certainly allow this wine to evolve in the cellar for at least 7-10 years.” - Thomas River Brown
Review:
Coming from the Winfield Vineyard in Calistoga, the 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon is another brilliant wine from the hands of winemaker Thomas Rivers Brown. This deep purple-colored effort boasts tons of blueberry and jammy blackberry fruits as well a medium to full-bodied, concentrated, yet elegant style on the palate. It has the purity of fruit that’s the hallmark of the vintage, ripe, sweet tannins, and no hard edges, and is already hard to resist.
-Jeb Dunnuck 94 Points
Luis Canas Rioja Crianza is made from 95% Tempranillo and 5% Garnacha
A classic style Rioja from one of the regions most enduring family run wineries.. The hillside terraced vineyards are sheltered by the Sierra Cantabria Mountains to the north from harsh weather extremes. Small plot production is utilized in this region of infertile chalky clay soil to produce clusters of excellent quality. Almost 900 plots are needed to complete the approximately 400 hectares of estate-owned or cellar-controlled vineyards, some with vines more than 100 years in age.
Tasting notes
Made from 95% Tempranillo, 5% Garnacha of 30 years of age, the wine shows a ruby red color, a clean nose with nuances of balsamic, plum and cedar. The palate is smooth and velvety, complex and structured, with fruit, spice flavors with toasted oak. A pleasant finish with red fruits and hints of eucalyptus.
The harvest
This year in Rioja Alavesa the weather has been especially cold, the summer short and dry, and there has been plenty of rain in early September. This has produced wines with great aromatic notes, particularly those coming from high altitude areas, very fragrant and with great structure.
Winemaking and aging
Upon entering the bodega and passing the selection table, the grapes are de-stemmed and crushed before undergoing fermentation and then maceration in stainless steel tanks for a total of 8 days, obtaining better color extraction as well as much more complex wines, suitable for prolonged aging. The wine is clarified with vegetable gelatines and follows anicrobic filtration.
It is ideal to pair with meats; red meat, poultry, small game, oily fish, semi-cured cheeses, spicy dishes and hot dishes such as beans or potatoes Rioja style.
After its primary fermentation, the wine is placed in barrels where it undergoes malolactic fermentation and is aged for a minimum of 12 months. It is then bottled for at least another 12 months.
Review:
"Juicy Bing cherries, peppery herbs, leather, and cedarwood notes all emerge from the 2021 Rioja Crianza, a medium-bodied, concentrated, round, layered red that has supple tannins, beautiful fruit, and a great finish. This classic Rioja has tons to love."
- Jeb Dunnuck (Importer Highlight: Fran Kysela ; July 2024), 91 pts