Journeys End The Pastors Blend

Wine of Origin: Stellenbosch

Winery location: Sir Lowry’s Pass

Winemaker: Leon Esterhuizen

Background: Close to the Sir Lowry’s Pass village, you will discover Journeys End situated on the south west facing slopes of the Schaapenberg Hills. The vines are planted on excellent soils for wine and the vineyards benefit from the cool south easterly winds in summer which helps keep them dry and hopefully disease and insect free! From its lofty position the farm commands magnificent views over False Bay down to Cape Point. Pesticides are kept to a minimum in the vineyards due to the continuous fresh winds which blow through the vines keeping the majority of pests away! Rollo Gabb, Marketing Director and owner of Journey’s End, says that the conditions on this farm are conducive to producing excellent wines. ‘We’ve only got ourselves to blame if the wine’s no good’! Leon Esterhuizen has been on board as full time winemaker and cellarmaster since the 2005 harvest and his wines are in demand both internationally and locally.

They produce three ranges of wines and The Pastor’s Blend falls into their excellent quality, yet affordable “Cellar Range”. The blend is predominantly Cabernet Sauvignon with 20% Merlot and a smidgen of Cabernet Franc, the latter having being picked ripe therefore assisting with the intense fruit flavour found in the wine. After fermentation the wine spent 18 months in older oak barrels prior to bottling.

Result: Aromas of ripe red and black cherry fruit with subtle hints of blackcurrant and vanilla. The palate is complex and delivers rich silky cassis flavour with gentle tannins on the finish.

When to drink: Now till 2020

Drink with what: Oxtail braised in red wine

Expect to pay: R87.00