Beeslaar Cape Courage 750ml Planting vines has always required courage – faith that the soil will give back, even when the outcome is unknown.With time and patience, that trust is rewarded, and the wine in a bottle of Cape Courage is proof of it.For us, courage is faith in action.Cape Courage is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and our proud Cape variety, Pinotage – believed to tame these spirited European “ruffians”. Matured for 20 months in new and second fill French oak barrels, this wine is a tribute to the enduring spirit of the Cape. Cape Courage is a Cape blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and South Africa’s own Pinotage, with the final composition varying from vintage to vintage in pursuit of balance and quality.The grapes were handpicked, destemmed and carefully sorted before fermentation in open-top concrete fermenters at 28°C. During fermentation, the skins were punched down by hand every two hours to ensure gentle yet thorough extraction. After three days on the skins, the juice was drawn off, preserving freshness and fine tannin structure.Malolactic fermentation and maturation took place over 20 months in a combination of new and second-fill 225-litre French oak barrels, allowing the components to integrate while retaining clarity of fruit and terroir expression.The nose shows aromas of graphite, tea leaf, dark hedgerow fruit and cassis, supported by subtle herbal notes, cinnamon spice and a dusty, earthy nuance. The palate is broad yet refined, with ripe, fine-grained tannins framing a generous and approachable fruit core. Cabernet flavours carry through with confidence, while Pinotage contributes a lift of red fruit and gentle spice. Balanced and composed, the wine finishes dry in the Beeslaar style, offering excellent character and value.
