Notes

To showcase how beautifully Cap Classique can age, Graham Beck founding Cellar Master Pieter Ferreira has chosen a truly exceptional Magnum from 1994. The 1994 Graham Beck Brut Magnum is particularly special as it was also the vintage selected as the celebratory drink of choice at the inauguration of South Africa’s first democratically elected president, Nelson Mandela.

This year marks 30 years since the first vintage of Graham Beck Cap Classique was crafted at their state-of-the-art cellar in the breathtaking Robertson Wine Valley. The foundations for their passionate pursuit of the perfect bubble were laid in 1990 when the founder Graham Beck established the estate with the dream of producing outstanding sparkling wine. It is also Pieter’s 30th year at the helm of Graham Beck’s MCC production - a role he relishes just as much as that of being Chairman of the Cap Classique Association. “During our 30 years of fine-tuning and focusing on our craft, our unwavering vision has been to elevate our Cap Classique technique and approach. This dedication and attention to detail have resulted in Graham Beck being internationally recognised as an ambassador for an exciting and exhilarating style of Cap Classique,” explains Pieter. The extraordinary Robertson terroir, remarkable limestone-rich soils, outstanding fruit quality and meticulous selection were the building blocks with which the team conjured their bubble alchemy.

CELLAR MASTER: Pieter Ferreira

VARIETY: Chardonnay 50%, Pinot Noir 50%

AREA OF ORIGIN: Robertson, South Africa

VINEYARD:
Hand-picked Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from the Robertson Estate, the soils in which these vineyards grow have a rich natural limestone content, combining distinct terroir influences.

CELLAR TREATMENT:
At the time of bottling, the blend was 50% Chardonnay and 50% Pinot Noir, with all the fruit coming from the Robertson Estate. This wine then spent 5 years ageing on the lees and a remarkable 21 years on cork.

TASTING NOTES:
This delightful museum Cap Classique offers complex and beautifully integrated brioche and lime aromatics. On the palate, the wine is medium to full-bodied, pure and incisive, with a refined mousse, tangy acids, a tensile core and a harmonious profile ending on a subtle honeysuckle finish.