Arnoldus 2021

Going About Life in a Different Way

Swartskaap is our iconic Cabernet franc, the heart and soul of our vineyard and philosophy. Planted at the very center of our property, this vineyard symbolizes our commitment to creating unique and boundary-pushing wines.

As the "odd one out," Swartskaap embraces a different path, zigging where others zag. Carefully crafted from 100% Cabernet franc, this wine undergoes meticulous aging for 24 months in French oak barrels, equally divided between new and older barriques and puncheons. After bottling, we cellar the wine for an additional 24 months before releasing it, ensuring optimal balance, elegance, and complexity.

Enjoy expressive aromas of vibrant red and purple fruits, such as raspberries and blackcurrants, complemented by notes of black olive and fresh herbal spice. The palate is dense and generous, showcasing intense fruit character with layers of milk chocolate praline, supple tannins, and persistent length. Freshness from herbal nuances of rosemary, thyme, and mint provides beautiful balance.

Swartskaap embodies balance, elegance, freshness, drinkability, and longevity, promising graceful aging for 10 years or more under optimal cellar conditions.

Our Merlot for every day

Posmeester loves creating connections among people from all walks of life. He brings together friends and family, sharing stories and news, preserving memories, and nurturing the spirit of togetherness wherever he goes. Your reliable friend and confidant.

Crafted for everyday enjoyment, Posmeester is a Merlot designed to be approachable and pleasing to all palates. The wine ages gently in French oak barrels (3rd, 4th, and 5th fills), capturing plush aromas of fresh red and purple fruits like raspberries and blueberries, complemented by subtle hints of milk chocolate.

The palate is lush and juicy, presenting a generous entry that seamlessly transitions into supple, persistent tannins, maintaining excellent balance and effortless length. Easy-drinking yet nuanced, Posmeester offers immediate pleasure and will gracefully mature over 2-3 years if stored under optimal conditions.

She Knows What She Wants

Cool, calm, and poised, Kat is self-assured, moving with a laid-back demeanor and observing the world through a mysterious gaze. She knows exactly what she wants—and isn't afraid to go after it.

A fuller style Sauvignon blanc of which 50% ferments and ages in oak for 10 months and 50% matures on the lees in stainless steel. Certain leaner vintages might contain a smidgeon of Sémillon to broaden the texture and palate. The earlier vintages (2012-2017) are more in a linear style and will start to showcase some tertiary flavours, where the younger vintages (2018-2024) will have elegant aromas of exotic fruit (starfruit, dragon fruit), undertones of tropical aromas (passionfruit and ripe pineapple) and yellow fruit (peaches). 

On the palate we strive to create a fine balance between elegant and a well-rounded wine, supported by crisp freshness, good length and minerality at the end. These wines will age for 7 years and beyond, provided they are stored under optimum conditions.

The Fun One You Can Count On

There's nothing small about Kleinboet! Dynamic, confident, and knowledgeable, this youngster is resilient and reliable, always enjoyable and dependable.

Kleinboet is our Cabernet Sauvignon-dominant Bordeaux blend, harmoniously composed of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Malbec, and Cabernet franc. Blended before aging, the wine matures for 24 months in French oak, using a combination of large wooden vats (Foudres, 6000L) and smaller barriques (225L, first, second, and third fill). Following this, it spends another 12-18 months in bottle before release, ensuring complexity and refinement.

Expect vibrant aromas of bright red and purple fruits, raspberries and blueberries, accented by savoury notes and dried herbs such as oregano and rosemary. The palate is generous and full-bodied, delivering supple tannins without overwhelming the palate, leading to a persistent, elegantly balanced finish.

With a robust structure and graceful aging potential, Kleinboet will continue to evolve beautifully for 7 years and beyond under optimal cellar conditions.

She Remains Forever Graceful

Skoonma embodies grace, carefully maintaining harmony and bringing joy to every gathering. Like a thoughtful mother-in-law, she works tirelessly to keep the family entertained, happy, and united.

Our modern take on Shiraz, Skoonma combines fresh, vibrant flavors with refined complexity. Crafted using 50% whole-bunch fermentation and 50% traditional crushed-and-destemmed methods, this blend captures the site's cooler nuances, delivering freshness and precise tension. A touch of Grenache and Mourvèdre adds warmth and a graceful finish.

Matured for 24 months in large French oak Foudres (6000L), this wine beautifully integrates its varietals. After bottling, it receives an additional 3-6 months of cellar maturation before release.

Enjoy fresh aromas of red and purple fruits, notably mulberries, alongside savoury hints of fynbos and sweet spices like rosemary, thyme, and cinnamon. The palate is round and supple, presenting generous fruit and spice notes with smooth tannins and an elegant, lingering finish.

With a core designed to evolve gracefully, Skoonma will age beautifully for 7 years or more under optimal conditions.

Arnoldus is a modest man of gravitas and poise.

A man who knows exactly what he wants from life… Secure in a life well lived, he enjoys a quiet, private life. His silence speaks louder than words.

This wine embodies diligence, patience, and craftsmanship. Our aim is to be meticulous in creating something that will not just please but hopefully shift boundaries. Arnoldus blends equal parts Cabernet franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot (28% each), with 16% Merlot. This wine ages for 24-30 months in 100% new French oak barriques (225 L barrels) sourced from two prestigious family-owned cooperages in Bordeaux. The wine ages as a blend in the barriques prior to bottling, whereafter we cellar the wine for a further 24 months before the wine is released into the market.

On the palate the attributes of our cool climate ward in Sondagskloof, meets our winemaking philosophy of balance, elegance, freshness, drinkability, and longevity. This wine will age for 10 years and beyond, provided it is stored under optimum conditions. 

Arnoldus has a garnet red colour with rich aromas of dark fruit (cassis and plums); savoury notes (pencil shavings); and dried herbal spice. On the palate it offers generous tannin density and fruit intensity; seamless and supple, yet full of persistence and length; sweet herbal spice (rosemary, thyme, mint) providing freshness on palate.

The Shy Girl with the Long Legs

Shy but playful, Bloos is a natural blusher. Overwhelmed and overjoyed by the small, significant moments of life. Her alluring nervous energy drives her to explore. She is unpretentious and humble with a liveliness that hides behind her wide eyes.

A wine designed for everyday enjoyment with a focus to be approachable and accessible. The wine is a blend of 75% Mourvèdre and 25% Grenache to create a fruit forward rosé aimed to please all palates. A small percentage of the wine ferments in contact with French oak to broaden the palate without compromising the refreshing sensation of this wine. Our aim is to create a wine that show-cases fresh red fruit (strawberries) and floral notes, with a creamy finish.

On the palate this wine presents the perfect balance between freshness and texture, with effortless weight and length. This wine was not made with the intention to age, but rather to be enjoyed immediately.

The Soul of Sondagskloof

Free-spirited, adventurous, and intimately connected with nature—Kaalvoet Meisie embraces life moment by moment. She finds joy in life's unexpected pleasures and eagerly shares these delightful experiences with you through every sip.

Crafted as a fresher style Sauvignon blanc, Kaalvoet Meisie artfully blends three unique vinification methods. Grapes undergo hyper-oxidation to achieve stability, while the main portion of the blend also receives one day of skin contact at precisely 10°C to enhance texture and complexity. The late-ripening grapes are vinified reductively to preserve their vibrant freshness.

Small additions of Nouvelle introduces aromatic intrigue and spice, while a touch of Sémillon adds fullness and depth. On the nose, expect dominant aromas of juicy peaches and ripe pineapple, elegantly complemented by exotic pacific fruits like star fruit, dragon fruit, and white pear, underscored by hints of fresh fynbos and aromatic buchu.

On the palate, Kaalvoet Meisie offers a harmonious balance of refreshing minerality, appealing texture, and persistent length, making it a perfect companion for joyful moments shared with friends.

Enjoy now or cellar for 3-5 years to discover even richer layers of flavour, provided the wine is stored under optimum conditions.