Ernie Els Wines | Signature Canapé Tasting

May 25, 2024 Leave a Comment by Sharese Hunt Ernie Els Wines

High on the slopes of the Helderberg Mountains, Ernie Els Wines resides in the esteemed Golden Triangle of Stellenbosch, an area renowned for producing ultra-premium Cabernet Sauvignon. The estate offers sweeping views of Cape Town and Table Mountain to the west and Stellenbosch and the Helderberg Mountains to the east, creating a stunning backdrop for an unforgettable wine tasting experience.

“Cabernet sauvignon is the golden thread that runs through our wine. It’s about showcasing the different personalities of Cabernet Sauvignon”.

– Louis Strydom (Winemaker)

From the moment you pass the grand granite boulders at the entrance with a pond beside the path all filled with Koi fish and through the big doors, you know you are in for a treat. Striking architecture and contemporary interiors create an air of sophistication and once you reach the tasting area, a sweeping view the Helderberg Mountains come into view.

A glass of Ernie Els Big Easy Cabernet Sauvignon Rosé 2023 is served as a welcome drink. This vibrant rosé greets you with a bouquet of fresh strawberries and spring blossoms. On the palate it offers crisp, lively flavours of red berries, watermelon and a hint of grapefruit, all balanced by a delicate minerality. It’s a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cinsault with about 3 to 4 hours skin contact.

Signature Canapé Tasting

Indulge in their new Signature Canapé Tasting, featuring a generous pour of Ernie Els Signature 2017, a sophisticated Bordeaux-style blend celebrated for its complexity and elegance. Predominantly Cabernet Sauvignon, this wine also includes Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot. A beautiful blend that showcases the best of Stellenbosch’s terroir with its rich fruit flavours, complex aromas and long, elegant finish. Aged for 18 months in 60% new French oak barrels.

In the glass it showcases a deep, dark ruby colour, hinting at its richness and intensity. The captivating nose offers a bouquet of black currant, plum and dark cherry, interwoven with tobacco and cedar. Subtle hints of vanilla and spice from oak ageing add to its aromatic complexity. On the palate, it is full-bodied with layers of dark fruit flavours and ripe plum. The mid-palate reveals a harmonious blend of chocolate, espresso and earthy undertones, complemented by well-integrated tannins and balanced acidity. The finish is long and luxurious, ensuring it will age gracefully and enhance its complexity over time.

This Ernie Els Signature 2017 is perfectly paired with a Rare Roast Beef Canapé, featuring Beetroot Tartare, Crispy Greens and Burnt Aubergine. The rich, savoury flavours of the roast beef and the earthy sweetness of the beetroot tartare are elevated by the wine’s dark fruit and spice notes, while the crispy greens and burnt aubergine add texture and depth to the pairing. Following this, a Beetroot, Berry and Black Pepper Palate Cleanser Sorbet refreshes the palate and is absolutely delicious. Highly recommended.

Available daily from 10h00 to 12h00 at the Tasting Room for R395 per person. Bookings are essential and can be made by emailing bookings@ernieelswines.com

Wine Tasting on the terrace

Ernie Els Wines’ range includes four collections with a particular focus on Cabernet Sauvignon: the Big Easy, Major Series, Proprietor’s and the Signature. Each collection reflects the estate’s dedication to producing wines of exceptional quality and character, showcasing the versatility and depth of Cabernet Sauvignon within Stellenbosch’s unique terroir.

Player’s Tasting

• Ernie Els Big Easy Chenin Blanc 2023
• Ernie Els Major Series Merlot 2021
• Ernie Els Big Easy Cabernet Sauvignon 2021
• Ernie Els Big Easy Red Blend 2021

Ernie Els Big Easy Chenin Blanc 2023

This is a vibrant and refreshing wine, presenting a clear, pale straw colour. The nose offers an inviting bouquet of ripe pear, green apple and white peach, with hints of honeysuckle and tropical fruits. On the palate it is crisp and lively, featuring juicy pear, tangy lemon zest and a touch of minerality, balanced by well-integrated acidity. The finish is clean and refreshing, with lingering citrus and a subtle honeyed sweetness.

Ernie Els Major Series Merlot 2021

An elegant wine with aromas of ripe black cherry, plum and blackberry, complemented by hints of vanilla and cedar. On the palate, it is full-bodied and smooth, with flavours of dark fruit and a touch of spice, supported by fine tannins and balanced acidity. The finish is long and velvety, with lingering notes of fruit and subtle oak. Aged for 16 months in 22% new french oak barrels that enhances the tannin structure for a full-bodies wine that is smooth and elegant.

Ernie Els Big Easy Cabernet Sauvignon 2021

This is not your typical Cabernet Sauvignon. A blend of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Cinsault, the same components found in their Rosé, aged for about 12 months in older barrels. The nose reveals a mixture of herbs, while the palate offers a balsamic taste complemented by blackberries. Elegant oak ageing adds hints of ash, cedar and ground cinnamon to the dense black fruit flavours.

Ernie Els Big Easy Red Blend 2021

A captivating Rhone valley style wine, skillfully blending Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Viognier, Mourvèdre, Grenache and Cinsault. It’s aged for approximately 12 to 14 months in older French and American oak barrels. This wine unfolds with inviting notes of vanilla and white pepper on the nose, leading to a palate enriched with floral nuances and hibiscus undertones.

Major Tasting

• Ernie Els Major Series Merlot 2021
• Ernie Els Proprietor’s Syrah 2017
• Ernie Els Major Series Cabernet Sauvignon 2021
• Ernie Els Proprietor’s Blend 2018

Ernie Els Major Series Merlot 2021

An elegant wine with aromas of ripe black cherry, plum and blackberry, complemented by hints of vanilla and cedar. On the palate, it is full-bodied and smooth, with flavours of dark fruit and a touch of spice, supported by fine tannins and balanced acidity. Aged for 16 months in 22% new French oak barrels that enhances the tannin structure for a full-bodies wine that is smooth and elegant.

Ernie Els Proprietor’s Syrah 2017

The uniqueness of the Proprietor’s range lies in its exclusivity as it is not available in any liquor stores, onky available to purchase directly from the farm. This wine is carefully aged for 18 months in a blend of 50% new French and American oak barrels. Its aromatic profile offers delightful hints of cherry and tobacco on the nose, complemented by subtle notes of vanilla that continue to charm on the palate.

Ernie Els Major Series Cabernet Sauvignon 2021

Referred to as the king of the jungle, this exquisite wine is crafted from nine different clones, each contributing unique character and complexity. Ten percent of the wine is aged in terracotta to enhance its flavour profile, while the rest spends 18 months in French oak, 30% of which is new. This well-structured wine features a bouquet with hints of tea leaf and a burst of violet. On the palate, juicy plums and smooth tannins unfold beautifully.

Ernie Els Proprietor’s Blend 2018

They affectionately call it “Farm in a Bottle” because it’s exclusively available from the farm itself. This wine is a harmonious blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, Malbec, Merlot and Petit Verdot. It’s carefully aged for 18 months, with 30% of that time spent in new French oak barrels to enhance the wine’s structure. Upon opening, delightful aromas of dark chocolate, black cherries and plums waft from the glass. The palate reveals layers of juicy black and red cherries intertwined with a finely structured backbone. Savoury notes of plums and redcurrants unfold, leading to a deep-fruited, peppery finish that lingers pleasantly.

Wine Cellar Tour

Take a guided tour by one of the staff, a state-of-the-art Fermentation Cellar which is home to large concrete tanks, amphora clay pots and rows of barrels containing maturing wines. Each of which play a different role in creating the complex Cabernet Sauvignons and blends that make up the Proprietor’s, Major, Signature and Big Easy ranges. Their Vinothèque is a striking, modern space showcasing an array of older vintages and current wine portfolio available for purchase.