Bellevue Heritage Cinsault 2024 Stellenbosch, Western Cape, South Africa 75cl

Old vines are Bellevue’s obsession. Spread across the Bottelary Hills, the estate guards several of South Africa’s most historic blocks and bottles them separately in its Heritage range, made only in the years they truly deserve it. This Cinsault is arguably the jewel: the estate’s oldest vineyard, and one of the oldest of its kind in the country.

Planted in 1952 as dryland bush vines, this block yields tiny quantities of intensely flavoured fruit. Everything is done by hand and with restraint: a three-day cold soak, gentle daily pump-overs, then ten months in 300-litre French oak with a natural malolactic. The aim is not power but transparency, letting very old Cinsault speak clearly.

The 2024 vintage suited Stellenbosch reds well. There was no excessive heat, and a drier summer with good water retention in the soils gave a compact, focused growing season. For old, low-yielding vines like these, that meant small berries with real concentration, depth of colour and the fine tannins that let this style age.

Pale but intense, it opens with rose petal, potpourri and raspberry, joined by strawberry, red cherry, plum and pomegranate, with a fynbos and Turkish-delight lift. The palate is tight, compact and concentrated, its silky tannins and cool mineral texture carrying a long, perfumed finish. Beautiful now, but with the balance to hold for many years. Try it with duck, herbed lamb or mushroom dishes.

Greg Sherwood MW awarded the 2024 an outstanding 97-plus points and a drinking window reaching towards 2050. If you are drawn to old-vine Cinsault, the fragrance of fine Pinot Noir or the poise of aged Nebbiolo, this speaks the same refined language. Only a tiny quantity is made, so it is one to seek out and cellar.