Vondeling Barrel Selection Cabernet Sauvignon 2022

The ProducerThe 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 & TerroirThe 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 CellarFruit 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 NotesDeep, 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 PairingA 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.