The Producer
The Vondeling Barrel Selection Cabernet Sauvignon 2022 comes from one of the Cape Winelands’ most dedicated Cabernet estates. Vondeling sits on the Voor-Paardeberg road northwest of Paarl — a mountain-influenced terroir that produces structured, elegant reds with genuine cellaring potential. The Barrel Selection tier represents the estate’s finest fruit, reserved for the parcels that earn extra cellar time.
Vintage & Terroir
The 2022 vintage originates from a uniquely southwest-facing vineyard on one of Vondeling’s highest and most temperate slopes. Roots burrow deep into nutrient-poor, well-weathered granite soils — the kind of terroir that forces vines to concentrate flavour and aroma. Grapes are hand-picked at 25 Balling; only the finest fruit enters the cellar.
In the Cellar
Fruit is pre-chilled on arrival, gently destemmed, and cold-soaked for two days before natural fermentation begins. A combination of whole and crushed berries extracts tannin slowly and builds an intense, fruit-driven profile. Fermentation runs in open-top fermenters with hand plunging, followed by one week of extended maceration — time for every component to mesh and find harmony. The wine drains to 300L French oak barrels; skins are pressed in a traditional wooden basket press. Malolactic fermentation completes in barrel, followed by 18 months total oak time. Then bottled and laid to rest for a full year before release.
Tasting Notes
Deep, dark ruby red in the glass. The nose opens on white musk, cinnamon, black cherry, and sultry vanilla. The palate is broad, succulent, and silky — blue fruit, smoky cigar box, roasted almonds, and maraschino cherries carrying through to a fine, textured finish. Rated 91/100 — Tim Atkin South Africa Special Report, 2025 (timatkin.com).
Food Pairing
A natural partner for hearty, slow-cooked meals — bone-in short rib, oxtail potjie, or lamb shank. Equally at home with a beef fillet in green peppercorn or truffle and mushroom sauce. Keep 6 bottles on hand and let the Tribe decide when to open the first.
