Our Wine of the Week is Manley Cabernet Sauvignon 2021, an essential winter wine showing the typical characteristics that red wine lovers adore in a glass of Cab.
Manley Wine Estate is a boutique wine farm and private cellar located in the beautiful countryside of the Tulbagh Valley in the Cape Winelands. The Manley winemaking team, led by the young and ambitious Joshua van Blommestein, handcrafts their wines from fruit grown on the steep shale slopes of the magnificent eastern edge of the Tulbagh Valley. Here, they are wrapped by the rugged Saron Peak to the north the Witzenberg Mountains to the South and the Winterhoek Mountains to the west.
Manley Wine Estate is a captivating, welcoming space to visit:
- Their tasting room offers a range of tastings – from Cabernet Sauvignons to Chenin Blancs and virtually everything in between – at a relaxed and unhurried pace.
- Their newly opened restaurant called The Taste, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, provides an opportunity to indulge in exquisite local cuisine paired with the exquisite Manley wines.
- They also offer accommodation: Guests can choose between a cosy bed and breakfast room in the 1835 Manor House or the complete privacy of the modern Vineyard Cottage.
Manley Wine Estate has a collection of exceptional wines showcasing the character that epitomises the Tulbagh Valley. Meticulously crafted and passionately created, their wines speak volumes, echoing their respect for the terroir and their commitment to quality.
For the red wine lover, the artistry of winemaking meets the richness that is their land. Velvety, smooth Merlots to robust, full-bodied Cabernet Sauvignons – each bottle telling the story of their vines. The Cabernet Sauvignon vineyard used for the Manley Cabernet Sauvignon, our Wine of the Week, is a dryland vineyard. This means the vines receive absolutely no irrigation, giving very concentrated grape berries.
During the 2021 harvest season, the grapes were picked early in the mornings, and then directly sent to a cooler for 5 hours.
In the cellar, the winemaking team processed the grapes and put them into a tank where cold maceration took place for about 2 days. The specific yeast used in this process has a slow fermentation speed, allowing for an extended extraction time (which is why the wine has such great colour and aromatics). After fermentation, extended skin contact followed. The last step in the winemaking process was 24-month oak barrel ageing.
The Manley Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 is a real stunner. It is a deep ruby-coloured red wine showing characters of eucalyptus, seared green pepper, blackcurrant, blackberry compote, and black cherry as well as spiciness, tobacco, blueberry, and vanilla stick aromas. This Cabernet Sauvignon pairs excellently with all things meaty. Think venison, wagyu beef, rump, and sirloin. The Manley Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 won an impressive Double Gold medal in the 2024 Gilbert and Gaillard International Challenge.
This Cabernet Sauvignon is available for purchase via wine.co.za’s online shop, tastewine.co.za.
Wine estate name: Manley Wine Estate
Location: Tulbagh, Western Cape
In Collaboration with: wine.co.za
