The Groot Constantia 'Gouverneurs Reserve' is a very fine Bordeaux red wine blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. The vineyards used to produce this wine are located on the steep valley on the eastern side of Table Mountain. The climate is Mediterranean with cooling breezes from the Atlantic Ocean encouraging balance and complexity in the grapes. At the winery the selected grapes were treated delicately in the cellar and during the first half of fermentation the wine was pumped over four times per day, in order to oxygenate the wine. Post- fermentation extended maceration lasted approximately four weeks. The wine was the matured for 14 months in 225 litre French oak barrels, of which 73% were new, 9% second fill and 18% third fill. The Gouverneurs Reserve is Groot Constantia’s flagship red wine that shows beautiful complexity on the nose, with ripe, rich flavours of blackcurrant, dark chocolate and graphite, enriched by notes of cinnamon and cedar wood from the generous use of new oak. The black fruit and sweet spice follow through to the palate and the firm structure promises excellent ageing potential. [#intro]A very fine Bordeaux blend & the flagship wine of this historic South African estate...[/intro]