Perdeberg Cellar redefines excellence with Endura
Showcasing the essence of dry land vineyards, Perdeberg Cellar proudly presents its highly anticipated release of the new vintage Endura Winemaker’s Selection Cape Blend 2020 and Endura Single Vineyard Chenin Blanc 2021, marking the arrival of two truly exceptional wines. Handcrafted with meticulous care from grapes nurtured in the revered dry land vineyards of the Paarl region, these wines represent the epitome of excellence and the mastery of winemaking. A tribute to the enduring journey of survival the vines embark on each year, Endura showcases the perfect harmony between nature, heritage, and passion.
“The unique soils and climate of our vineyards all contribute to the distinctiveness of these wines, and reflect the true character of the terroir,” explains cellarmaster Albertus Louw. The vines receive no irrigation but are planted in the best soils to support these plants reliant on seasonal rainfall. Smaller, flavour-rich grapes are the reward for enduring these challenging conditions, as mother nature’s natural survival instinct produces her best fruit which is hand-picked and harvested in small batches to create remarkable wines.
Without a doubt a showstopper sourced from the high-altitude Chenin single vineyard block in the Paardeberg area, the Endura Single Vineyard Chenin Blanc is a culmination of skill, unique terroir, and the noble qualities of this diverse varietal. The wine was naturally fermented in Ceramic Amphora, Diamanté Wine Tanks (both bring out the minerality in the wine during fermentation), and French oak barrels. Aged on the lees for eight months before blending the various components to create the perfect harmony for the sophisticated drinker. The style is vastly different from the rest of Perdeberg’s Chenin, one of the grape varietals for which The Home of Chenin Blanc™ is renowned. “It’s really a special occasion wine,” says Louw. “Everybody used to think Chenin was the workhorse of the industry – cheap and cheerful – but, by selecting the best vineyards and being creative, you can create amazing wines.”
The current release Single Vineyard Chenin Blanc 2021 is a brilliant gold colour with aromas of ripe stone fruit, citrus, and lemon flavours. This carries through to a rich palate with fresh acidity and a mineral finish. Not only does this iconic wine pair beautifully with most seafood and poultry dishes but is the ideal match for spicy curries. Best served slightly chilled and available from the Tasting Room.
A blend of Pinotage (52%), Cabernet Sauvignon (24%) and Malbec (24%), the Endura Winemaker’s Selection Cape Blend 2020 is one you want to purchase for enjoyment now, as well as a few additional bottles to see how it develops as it ages within the next five to eight years. A top-tier limited release, with its 2018 vintage being a Top 6 ABSA Cape Perold Cape Blend Competition winner, this wine is bottled only when there’s a vintage good enough to keep company with its exceptional forerunners. Only the best French oak barrels were selected to allow the final blend to age for 18 months prior to bottling. This resulted in a wine showcasing the perfect harmony of flavours and balance.
A dark purple red colour, which is consistent with its taste profile, the wine showcases aromas of dark berries, blackcurrant, and vanilla flavours, with spicy nuances on the nose. On the palate you’ll be met with hints of chocolate, blueberries, and cherries, which are well-structured and elegant, leaving you with a lingering smooth finish. Perfect for the cold weather we’re currently experiencing, the Endura Winemaker’s Selection Cape Blend 2020, pairs beautifully with rich flavourful dishes, such as Cape Malay curries, red meat and wild game dishes.
With its unrivalled quality and distinguished character, the latest vintages of Perdeberg Cellar’s Endura range are poised to delight the palates of wine enthusiasts and connoisseurs worldwide. Endura is available to purchase from Perdeberg Cellar’s Tasting Room, selected boutique wine outlets and online from the Perdeberg Wine Shop at www.perdeberg.co.za.
Situated at the foothills of the Paardeberg Mountain in Paarl, one of the finest wine-growing areas of the Cape, lies Perdeberg Cellar. The hallmark and most differentiating quality of Perdeberg wines is our predominant use of un-irrigated vineyards, termed dry land vines. Overcoming difficult growing conditions, dry land vines yield small berries with concentrated flavour and colour, creating superior wines. The winery’s rich history dates back to 1941 when a visionary wine farmer named Jan Rossouw suggested the area’s farmers begin producing their own wine. Perdeberg adopted its distinguishing name from the scores of Cape Mountain zebras that once roamed the Paardeberg area, mistaken for wild horses by local inhabitants.
With a vineyard span of over 3000 hectares, mainly in the Paarl and Swartland regions, Perdeberg benefits from different micro climates and various soil types. The natural variation of weather, soil, drainage, and altitude from vineyard to vineyard enables us to produce a wide range of wines with distinct qualities and character. In the cellar, our wines are created through the synergy of art, intuition, and science to reveal the best of what has been brought in from the vineyards. We follow a wine estate-inspired process including intensive vineyard management, handpicking grapes in small crates, and small presses, and maturing in barrels, to achieve exceptional quality.
With its unrivalled quality and distinguished character, the latest vintages of Perdeberg Cellar’s Endura range are poised to delight the palates of wine enthusiasts and connoisseurs worldwide. Endura is available to purchase from Perdeberg Cellar’s Tasting Room, selected boutique wine outlets and online from the Perdeberg Wine Shop at www.perdeberg.co.za.