Franschhoek has long been one of South Africa’s most celebrated wine valleys.
From elegant Cabernet Sauvignon to age-worthy Bordeaux blends, its wines combine structure, freshness and remarkable longevity. We’ve spent more than two decades exploring the Cape, building relationships with the people behind its most exciting wines. This week, we’ve brought together three very different expressions of Franschhoek, each produced by independent estates that have trusted Museum Wines as their exclusive UK importer.
The newly arrived Normandie Anno 1693. The benchmark Stony Brook The Max. And the beautifully classical Holden Manz Cabernet Sauvignon.
Three distinctive wines. One extraordinary valley.
Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Franschhoek
ANNO 1693, is a rich, elegant, complex and well-balanced Bordeaux-style red blend made from two varietals: Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. All of the grapes are grown and nurtured on Normandie Est. 1693. ANNO 1693 is the second red blend from the Estate; it is the natural extension to the iconic and legendary Eisen & Viljoen. ANNO 1693 was created with all of the passion and expertise that Normandie Est.1693 is renown for with the purpose of expanding the treasured wine experience. Black cherries and juicy ripe plums on the palate finds perfect harmony with the well-integrated, delicate structure. This is followed by a palate of cigar box, tomato paste and hints of spice for a long, balanced aftertaste. The use of French oak is subtle and supportive, adding layers of pencil shavings and hints of vanilla. Anno 2022 vintage is a juicy, elegant red blend perfect to enjoy now, and will greatly improve with further aging in the bottle.
60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Petit Verdot, Franschhoek
The unique mesoclimate in the Bo-Hoek seems naturally suited to growing red Bordeaux varieties. There is plenty of sunshine to allow the grapes ample ripeness, while the cool night-time temperatures seal in the acidity and increase the potential for hangtime on the vine. With each vintage of The Max, the aim is to craft a wine that has huge ageing potential as well as rich, harmonious flavours that allow the wine to be enjoyed in its youth. The 2021 vintage is a two-way Cape Bordeaux-style blend, made up of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 40% Petit Verdot, matured in 50% new French oak barrels for 24 months before blending and bottling.
100% Cabernet Sauvignon, Franschhoek
Colour: Deep ruby with a dark purple centre and a bright appearance. Nose: An intense nose filled with a strong line of cassis and a whiff of cloves. Lesser notes of blackberry and pencil shavings. Palate: Refined dense palate with a complex array of fruits. The middle palate is full and shows width with complexity and depth leading to a long, full finish. Fine tannins combine with tension and well balanced acidity.
Whether you’re discovering Franschhoek for the first time or revisiting one of South Africa’s most celebrated valleys, these three wines demonstrate why the region continues to produce some of the Cape’s most compelling reds.
