Stark-Condé Three Pines Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 (750ml)

About this Wine

This single-vineyard iconic Cabernet is based on a high elevation vineyard site (350m). The finely textured decomposed granite soil, cooler temperatures, and ample winter rainfall creates perfect growing conditions for premium Cabernet. The wine is characterized by its silky tannin structure and unique floral notes. Since its maiden vintage in 2000, this has been one of South Africa’s most consistently awarded Cabernets. Introducing Stark-Conde Three Pines Cabernet Sauvignon 2018, a premium wine that captures the essence of South Africa’s renowned winemaking prowess. This exceptional Cabernet Sauvignon is a celebration of the 2018 vintage, known for producing wines of extraordinary depth and character. Sourced from the esteemed Three Pines vineyard, nestled in the heart of South Africa’s wine country, this wine is a testament to the unique terroir and the meticulous care that goes into every bottle. At Stark-Conde, we pride ourselves on producing wines that are not just tasted, but experienced. The Three Pines Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 exemplifies this philosophy, showcasing our commitment to quality, tradition, and innovation. This wine is a tribute to the Cabernet Sauvignon grape, carefully cultivated and masterfully crafted to create a drinking experience that is both luxurious and memorable.

Vineyard Location: Sourced from the Three Pines vineyard, recognized for its superior grape-growing conditions, including ideal soil composition and microclimate.
Soil Type: The vineyard boasts well-drained soils, rich in nutrients, which contribute to the development of concentrated and complex flavors in the grapes.
Climate: The 2018 vintage was characterized by optimal weather conditions, allowing for balanced grape development. The combination of warm days and cooler nights resulted in grapes with excellent flavor intensity and acidity.
Harvesting: Grapes are meticulously handpicked at the peak of ripeness, ensuring the highest quality of fruit with ideal sugar and acidity levels.
Fermentation: The wine undergoes controlled fermentation in stainless steel tanks, with careful temperature management to retain the varietal’s characteristic flavors and aromas.
Aging: Aged in oak barrels to enhance the wine’s complexity and depth while maintaining the balance between fruit and oak influences. The aging process contributes to the development of subtle cedar and tobacco notes.
Alcohol Content: Typically around 13.5-14.5%, well-balanced to complement the wine’s robust flavor profile.
Tasting Profile: Exhibits a deep ruby color. The aroma is a rich blend of blackcurrants, dark cherries, cedar, and tobacco, with hints of dark chocolate. On the palate, it presents a luxurious mix of dark fruit, spice, vanilla, and oak. The texture is full-bodied, with silky tannins and a commanding structure, leading to a long and indulgent finish.
Bottling: Bottled with minimal intervention to preserve the integrity of the Cabernet Sauvignon’s flavor and the expression of the Three Pines vineyard.

Tasting Notes

As you pour a glass of Stark-Conde Three Pines Cabernet Sauvignon 2018, its deep, inviting ruby color captures your attention. The nose is greeted with a complex array of aromas: ripe blackcurrants and dark cherries intertwine with subtle notes of cedar, tobacco, and a touch of dark chocolate – a signature of its elegant aging process.

The palate of the Three Pines Cabernet Sauvignon is a revelation of flavors. It offers a rich blend of dark fruit, beautifully complemented by hints of spice, vanilla, and a well-integrated oak presence. The texture is luxurious and full-bodied, with tannins that are robust yet silky, providing a structure that is both commanding and graceful. The finish is long and indulgent, leaving a lasting impression of sophistication and depth.

Scores & Reviews

94+ pts Greg Sherwood MW Dec 2021

A 4.5 hectare vineyard from Stark Conde named after where the grapes are grown, the 2018 Three Pines combines Cabernet Sauvignon with 10% Petit Verdot and Malbec to reveal plenty of dark saline black berry fruits, tart black plum, blueberry and complex maritime kelp hints with subtle liquorice notes. The palate is sleek, glassy and super polished with very precise tight knit tannins, a firm structured acid frame and embracing saline black cherry and black berry fruits that lend a lot of mouth-watering pleasure already but leave you in no doubt that this is certainly a wine that will age and improve gracefully for at least 10 to 12+ years or more. Simply a delight to drink.

4 ½ Stars 2021 Platter’s South African Wine Guide

From 29 year old vines, with seamless addition of petit verdot, cab franc & malbec, 18 (94 pts) is sleek & supple, with floral & leafy hints enlivening, rich, ripe black cherry fruit. 20 months 50% new French oak seamlessly absorbed.

94 pts Decanter Aug 2022
If Rüdger Van Wyk and José Condé were making a red blend (including 6% Petit Verdot, 4% Cabernet Franc, 2% Malbec) of this quality in California, they’d be charging three times the price, so fill your cellars and wine racks, folks! From a single-vineyard site at 360m on decomposed granite and clay, this wine is fresh, direct and focused, with no sign of the heat or drought of the vintage. Dense, layered yet very well balanced. 2023 – 2029