Bellevue Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon

Founded in 1861, Bellevue Wine Estate is a historic, family-owned winery in the renowned Stellenbosch region of South Africa. The Morkel family's winemaking legacy began with Philip Morkel, a German immigrant who, after settling in the area, established the first vineyards. His grandson, PK Morkel, later transitioned the estate from livestock to a thriving winery. The current owner, Dirkie Morkel, has continued this heritage, blending tradition with modern, state-of-the-art facilities to produce exceptional wines.

The winemaking process at Bellevue begins with grapes from some of South Africa's oldest vineyards, planted in 1999. The vines are grown on a southern slope with fertile soil and cultivated using eco-friendly dryland farming, where the vines receive no irrigation. After a four-day cold soak, the grapes are fermented with three daily pump-overs to extract color and flavor. The wine is then pressed and racked into French oak barrels for 22 months, where it undergoes spontaneous malolactic fermentation. This meticulous process ensures the wine’s exceptional complexity and aging potential.

This Cabernet Sauvignon is a perfect representation of Stellenbosch's "Kingdom of Cabernet," a region known for its unique climate and ancient soils. The wine has an elegant profile with rich dark plum and cassis fruit, complemented by subtle cedarwood notes. Clean minerality and smooth tannins balance the intense fruit, creating a deep and lengthy finish. Its structured and balanced character makes it an ideal pairing for hearty dishes like rib-eye steak, braised short ribs, or lamb chops.