Le Chant

Alcohol percentage: 13.5%

Grape variety:
38% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Franc, 21% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Shiraz, 2% Sangiovese; matured for 13 months in French oak.

Vintage:
Le Chant is a 100 hectare estate in Polkadraai, on the west side of Stellenbosch, owned by the Odo family who also own the renowned Taaibosch nearby. It’s produced from a blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc, with a dash of Sangiovese, sourced from bought in grapes (grown on a pergola trellising system), also on the Helderberg.

‘Technical director’ is the affable and brilliant Schalk-Willem Joubert, who was previously in charge at Rupert & Rothschild in Franschhoek; winemaker is Petri Venter.

Old Bridge rating:
Medium-bodied, rather sophisticated Bordeaux-blend, spiced up by the Sangiovese. The result is very reminiscent of wines from Bolgheri, on the Tuscan coast.