July 2009 - Ormonde Private Cellars is a family run business
located in the Darling region of the Western Cape.
With 300 hectares of vines planted to numerous cultivars, the
Basson family takes only the best fruit it grows for their two labels,
the Alexanderfontein Range and their upper tier Ormonde Range,
selling off the rest to many well known, established producers
throughout the Cape winelands. Out of the 35,000 cases produced
under their two labels, the Ormonde Range is quite limited in
production with only around 500 cases or less being produced
from any one specific label within the range.
Named after the founder of the family
farm, the Vernon Basson label is new to
the Ormonde portfolio, this, the 2006
being the first release. A red Bordeaux
blend comprised of Cabernet
Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc, this
is impressive and quite unique in
that it has such a large percentage of
Cabernet Franc, 45%, in the equation.
The nose is very intriguing with lots of
spicy oak and mocha notes along with
some smoky cassis and current fruit
with a backdrop of cedar. Medium fuller bodied with a seamless
tannin structure this has a core of spicy sweet fruit and a smoky,
slightly herbal, mocha element that really compliments the fruit in
the palate. Still quite young and evolving this should really develop
nicely over the next couple of years and drink well for several
more after that with ease. - March 2012 The tasting notes above are still accurate. Cedar, mocha and spicy oak notes on the nose reveal what the mouth will give. Some dark currant fruit rounds it out nicely. Drinking well now with another 3 - 5 years ahead of it.
