Crafted with care, precision and uncompromising attention to detail by Winemaker Morné Vrey and his talented team, Delaire Graff Estate has launched the Laurence Graff Reserve 2020 – an incomparable wine that exemplifies its namesake’s passion for the truly exceptional.
Owner of Delaire Graff Estate, Laurence Graff OBE established Graff in London in 1960. For over 60 years, his fascination with the emotional power of diamonds and gemstones has transformed the House into a global hallmark of innovation and excellence.
Commenting, he said: “I have always been fascinated by diamonds. I remember looking at them, studying them closely to understand their purity and the way they had been cut. It was an inherent feeling that has turned into a lifelong passion.”
Just as diamonds are formed under immense pressure in the mantle deep beneath the Earth and forced towards the surface by volcanic eruptions, grapes are also shaped by Mother Nature in the form of soil, climate, and topography – bestowing unique nuances and flavour. Originally planted in 2001, the vineyards where the grapes used to craft the Laurence Graff Reserve are grown, beautifully exemplify this ethos.
Located on the lower slopes of the Estate’s valley, vibrant red soils heed smaller berry sizes, which deliver a more concentrated and intense flavour profile. The unique fingerprint of the region can be distinctly identified by subtle traces of mint and indigenous fynbos, while a captivating earthiness and refined tannic structure are hallmarks of the Banghoek’s rich soil.
Following excellent growing conditions, each grape was handpicked and sorted in the cool early hours of the African morning, while whole berry fermentation and basket pressing ensured a gentle extraction of fruit. Created with patience and careful restraint, the wine was then matured in 60% new French oak barrels for 18 months. A rigorous selection process identified only the finest five barrels, each one bringing forth a specific character from the cooper who made it, which is evident throughout the final flavour profile of the wine.
Commenting Delaire Graff Estate Winemaker, Morné Vrey said: “Every stage of our wine-making process was guided by a vision of complete perfection, inspired by the ethos of Laurence Graff. Classically elegant yet with a gravitas to tribute its namesake, it stands as the pinnacle of Cabernet Sauvignon. With firm tannins and balanced acidity, the Laurence Graff Reserve 2020 shows great promise for ageing and will evolve beautifully, gaining complexity and depth over the next 10 to 15 years.”
Master of Wine and leading oenology expert Tim Atkin recently released his annual South Africa Report, in which the Laurence Graff Reserve 2020 was awarded an exemplary 96 points.
TASTING NOTES
The nose is characterised by freshness and spice, vanilla pod, dark chocolate and hay aromas. Silky and smooth on entry, the wine has a flinty minerality with subtle tannins and huge length and persistence. Tangy, ripe, almost over-ripe red berries, together with classic flavours of brambles and cassis, dominate the profile.
INSPIRED BY ART
The launch of the Laurence Graff Reserve 2020 is accompanied by a dramatic visual campaign shot on location at Delaire Graff Estate. Within the imagery, the new vintage, which embodies the Estate’s unique qualities, is backdropped by Faith, a striking three-metre-high bronze sculpture created by renowned South African artist Anton Smit. With hundreds of rivets meticulously positioned and applied by hand, the piece projects tremendous emotion – a call to movement that evokes reconciliation, glory and sublimation.
Each year, the imagery accompanying the latest release of the Laurence Graff Reserve is shot alongside or draws inspiration from works of art included within Laurence Graff ’s personal collection displayed on the Estate.