The Van Biljon boutique winery owned by Anton and Julia Van Biljon lies on a small farm situated in the Polkadraai Hills ward of the Stellenbosch region, neighbouring other highly esteemed producers such as Reyneke Wines, Raats Family Wines and De Toren Private Cellar. The region is well known for its deep, fertile and well drained decomposed granite soils and the moderating cool sea breezes that blow in off False Bay, lying directly to the South of the winery. Meticulous viticultural practices yield pristine grapes with intense colour, concentrated fruit flavours and firm structured tannins. 

I have been tasting and reviewing the impressive Van Biljon wines, made by famed winemaker Chris Keet, since the 2013 vintage. But the 2015 Cinq Blend always remained a blank spot in my tasting knowledge as the entire vintage had been rumoured to have been sold to a Gulf State airline for their first class menu after the wine received the coveted 5 Star Platters Award as well as the overall Platters Red Blend of the Year 2020  award in the Cape Bordeaux Blend category.

But finally, after almost 10 years since vintage, a small parcel of the famed 2015 vintage has arrived in the UK and I was lucky enough to get a sneak peek of this wine.

The 2015 vintage saw a mild start to the season evolve into a hot and dry ripening period in February and March. Judicious irrigation was implemented to try reduce stress levels in the vines and extend the overall ripening period. The cool daily sea breezes from the False Bay ocean played a pivotal role in maintaining lower stress levels in the vines, allowing top quality fruit to be harvest.

Van Biljon Cinq 2015, WO Stellenbosch, 15% Abv.

2.7g/l RS | 5.8g/l TA | 3.57pH

The 2015 Van Biljon Cinq is a classical Cape Bordeaux Blend consisting of 47% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Merlot, 17 Malbec, 12% Cabernet Franc and 6% Petit Verdot. This is an incredibly famed vintage in the Cape for good reason, forging some of the most notable wines in South Africa’s modern vinous history. The aromatics speak of a ripe, opulent harvest revealing notes of black currant compote, freshly tilled earth, sweet baking herbs, black cherry preserve, sweet black chai tea, cherry tobacco and fresh tannery leather. In the glass, the wine slowly unfurls, layer upon layer, playing a slow seduction game with creamy crème de cassis, savoury black plum, bruleed coffee beans, hints of milk chocolate and condensed milk nuances. The texture is wonderfully fine grained and harmonious, yet equally substantial, showing dry chalky mineral tannins, a super fresh vitally, and a corresponding density and concentration commensurate with this highly acclaimed vintage. Ten years on, many in the Cape still consider the 2015 vintage without equal, and this majestic Cape Bordeaux Blend from Van Biljon simply adds further credence to this vintage’s legendary status. Drink now or cellar for a further 8 to 10+ years.

(Wine Safari Score: 96/100 Greg Sherwood MW)

The Van Biljon Wines are imported exclusively into the UK by Wood Winters wine merchants. Contact: andrew@woodwinters.com