Journey's End Vineyards Honoured With A Pinnacle 5-Star Rating

Journey's End Vineyards Honoured With A Pinnacle 5-Star Rating In The 2021 Platter's South African Wine Guide For Their Cape Doctor 2015 Bordeaux-Style Blend

Journey’s End, the boutique winery and vineyard, owned by the Gabb family, and situated on the mountain slopes above Sir Lowry’s Pass Village in the Helderberg basin, are overjoyed that their Cape Doctor 2015 Bordeaux-style blend has been honoured with a pinnacle 5-star rating in the 2021 Platter’s Wine Guide.

‘We are absolutely delighted to have been awarded a Platter’s 5 Stars for our Cape Doctor 2015. With our first ever release, a Chardonnay, getting 5 Stars way back in 2004, we have waited a long time to be back up on the pedestal - coming very close many times. All credit to our cellarmaster Leon Esterhuizen, winemaker Michael Dawson and viticulturalist Lodewyk Retief and to the broader Journey’s End team whose passion, commitment and diligence made this prestigious award a reality,” says managing director, Rollo Gabb.

Journey’s End winemaker Michael Dawson and cellarmaster Leon Esterhuizen in the vineyards

This 41st edition of Platter’s, South Africa's indispensable authoritative wine guide, features over 8,000 wines from more than 900 producers. Making Platter’s 5-star wine list, which represents South Africa’s top-tier wines, is regarded as one of the greatest achievements in the wine industry. This honour for the Journey’s End Cape Doctor 2015 follows hot-on-the-heels of its mighty 97-point rating and a Platinum Medal - the highest scoring red wine from South Africa - at the 2020 Decanter World Wine Awards. Decanter magazine, home to these esteemed Awards, is one of the world’s most influential wine publications read in over 90 countries.

JOURNEY’S END CAPE DOCTOR (THE RED) 2015

The Name: This wine is named after the ‘Cape Doctor’, the cooling and cleansing south-easterly wind that blows through the vineyards from False Bay, bringing many benefits to the vineyards.

The Blend: Bordeaux-style red blend - 39% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Merlot, 17% Petit Verdot, 6% Cabernet Franc and 5% Malbec.

In the Vineyard: The grapes come from five adjacent blocks on the farm stretching between 180m and 215m above sea level in close proximity (8km) to the ocean. The grapes are uniquely influenced by the nearby Eucalyptus forest which also serves as a wind break against the powerful Cape Doctor wind.

In the Cellar: The grapes from each block were picked and treated separately utilising stainless-steel tanks as well as 5000L truncated open top casks. Each varietal underwent a four-day pre-fermentation cold soak. After fermentation, only the Cabernet Sauvignon was subjected to a two-week post fermentation maceration to ensure a solid tannic structure. The wine spent 20 months maturing in barrel - the Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot components in 100% new French oak; the other varietals in second-fill French oak. The Cape Doctor is unfined and unfiltered where the process of extended barrel maturation manages to fine the components naturally.

Tasting Notes: This wine exhibits fruits on the darker side of the spectrum with cassis and rich fruitcake on the nose accompanied by cinnamon spice and dark chocolate from generous oak aging. Concentrated blackberries are complemented by a creamy texture, with soft elegant tannins delivering a beautiful long-lasting finish. Despite the current appeal, there is enough underlying power for a long future ahead. Drink now or up until 2030.

Limited Production: Only 15 barrels produced.

Accolades: 97 Points and a Platinum Medal - the highest scoring South African red wine - at the 2020 Decanter World Wine Awards in September, and 5 Stars in the 2021 Platter’s South African Wine Guide.

Purchase: The Journey’s End Cape Doctor 2015 is available for purchase at Journey’s End Vineyards cellar door, online at https://shop.journeysend.co.za/ for R280 and nationally at select fine wine merchants as well as at leading restaurants.

VISIT JOURNEY’S END VINEYARDS

The stylish tasting centre, glassed on three sides, overlooks the barrel cellar and embraces the untrammelled beauty of the panoramic vista. The centre spills out onto a spacious terrace, offering spectacular views of mountains, vineyards and False Bay, all the way across to Cape Point.

Tasting and sales by appointment: Monday Friday: 10h00 - 17h00
BYO picnic, walks, hikes, MTB and horse-riding
The floating lapa on the dam is also very popular for tastings, sundowners, swimming, fishing and stargazing

Journey’s End Vineyards, Sir Lowry’s Pass Road, Somerset West 7130

Tel: 021 858 1929 · Email: info@journeysend.co.za

www.journeysend.co.za/ · www.facebook.com/journeysendwines/

Twitter: @JourneysEndWine · Instagram: @journeysendwines