Damascene – Stellenbosch Cabernet Franc 2023

Overview

The Damascene Stellenbosch Cabernet Franc 2023 is a refined and expressive representation of the cultivar, sourced from two hilltop vineyards in Bottelary. The extremely rocky granitic soils impart concentration, structure, and a subtle mineral tension. The 2023 vintage produced small, healthy berries with natural acidity and perfectly balanced tannins. This Cabernet Franc combines aromatic clarity with elegance, revealing a bright red fruit profile and seamless integration between structure and finesse. Contains sulfites.

History of the Wine

Cabernet Franc has established itself in Stellenbosch as a variety capable of blending Old World elegance with New World intensity. Damascene selected two east-facing, elevated parcels, where maritime influence and altitude of 225 meters support slow and harmonious ripening. The 2023 harvest, conducted between 22 and 28 February, produced small, perfectly ripe berries that highlight the vineyard’s capacity to deliver concentrated, aromatic wines with fine tannins. This vintage confirms the vineyard’s identity: expressive, elegant, and distinctly varietal.

Vineyard Philosophy

The fruit comes from vineyards planted in 2004 with the CF1 clone, located 16.5 km north of False Bay. Soils are decomposed granite, highly drained, promoting low yields and intense concentration. The cooler east-facing slope ensures a longer ripening period, smaller clusters, and excellent structure. Viticulture is minimal intervention, fully manual, and focuses on canopy balance, biodiversity, and fruit health. The approach allows the vineyard’s natural characteristics to shine, producing grapes that reflect purity, tension, and elegance. Contains sulfites.

Cellar Approach

Grapes were hand-harvested, destemmed, and gravity-fed into tulip-shaped concrete fermenters, where whole berries underwent a three-day cold soak prior to primary fermentation. Fermentation peaked at 28 °C with gentle pump-overs 2–3 times daily. Spontaneous malolactic fermentation took place during 11 months of maturation in 2,000 L Austrian foudre. The wine was racked once, two weeks before bottling, without fining, preserving aromatic clarity and varietal complexity. Contains sulfites.

Tasting Notes

Colour: bright ruby with purple reflections.
Nose: raspberry, tart cherry, graphite, fresh sage, violet and deep red rose petals.
Palate: luminous red fruit, finely textured tannins, with a whisper of wild herbs and cherry skin lingering on the finish.

Food Pairing

Pairs beautifully with lamb rack, aromatic stews, beef fillet, light game, roasted mushrooms, aged cheeses, and Mediterranean dishes with fresh herbs. A versatile and elegant Cabernet Franc, perfect for gastronomy. Contains sulfites.

Technical Sheet

• Variety: 100% Cabernet Franc

• Origin: Bottelary, Stellenbosch

• Clone: CF1

• Altitude: 225 m

• Soils: highly drained decomposed granite

• Harvest: 22–28 February

• Fermentation: concrete tulip tanks, 3-day cold soak, fermentation up to 28 °C

• Malolactic: spontaneous in Austrian 2,000 L foudre for 11 months

• Racking: 1 time, two weeks before bottling

• Production: 2576 x 750 ml, 75 x 1500 ml

• Bottling date: 10 January 2025

• Alcohol: 13.37% vol

• pH: 3.46

• TA: 5.5 g/L

• RS: 1.6 g/L

• Serving temperature: 15–16 °C

• Contains sulfites

Damascene Winery

Damascene Winery

History

The Damascene winery was founded in 2017 through the collaboration between winemaker Jean Smit and wine entrepreneur David Curl, marking a new chapter in South African fine wine. After key experiences at leading Cape estates, Smit envisioned a project capable of expressing the depth and purity of the country’s most remote and fascinating terroirs. The name “Damascene” refers to a moment of revelation that inspired him to create a winery both artisanal and visionary. From the start, the ambition was clear: to craft wines that embody the true identity of South African vineyards, allowing nature itself to be the primary storyteller.

Vineyard Philosophy

Damascene’s viticultural philosophy is rooted in an ongoing search for the purest and most untouched terroirs across the Western Cape, with parcels located in Stellenbosch, Swartland, the Ceres Plateau and other areas defined by intense microclimates and ancient soils. The vineyards are farmed with minimal-intervention methods, relying on natural forces such as constant winds, organic soil management, self-produced mulch and meticulous manual care. The team collaborates closely with local farmers—guardians of long-standing traditions—emphasizing biodiversity, sustainability and authenticity. Every plot is cultivated to reflect its geological uniqueness and natural balance.

Cellar Approach

In the cellar, Damascene follows a method combining precision and restraint. Grapes are hand-harvested, cooled and transferred by gravity into concrete fermenters to preserve their freshness and integrity. Fermentations occur spontaneously with indigenous yeasts, contributing to aromatic depth and purity. Reds mature in large Austrian oak foudres, while whites rest in smaller neutral vessels, always with the lightest possible touch. Sulphites are used sparingly, added only before bottling to maintain a transparent expression of each vineyard’s character. Contains sulphites.

Values and Vision

Damascene represents a philosophy of winemaking that goes beyond technique, turning each bottle into a portrait of South Africa’s landscapes. The team travels thousands of kilometres to select high-altitude sites, isolated parcels and soils with rare geological identities. A portion of production is dedicated to experimentation, exploring new styles and interpretations of traditional varieties. The winery’s identity is built on a contemporary, curious and environmentally respectful vision, blending strong stylistic personality with absolute fidelity to the origin of the grapes. The result is a range of vibrant, precise and expressive wines that stand among the most compelling in the new South African wine scene.