A truly iconic wine, crafted with patience, careful restraint, and vision by winemaker Morné Vrey and his team, the Laurence Graff Reserve 2018 exemplifies a pursuit of perfection and its namesake’s passion for the truly exceptional.
Laurence Graff OBE established Graff in London in 1960 where his fascination with the emotional power of gemstones transformed the house into a global hallmark of innovation and excellence.
While the greatest forces of nature have given us rough diamonds, it takes the hands of an artisan to make light dance through a stone. In the same way, each grape within the vineyard holds a story that can only unfold at the hands of a master winemaker.
Planted in 2001, the vineyards in which the Laurence Graff Reserve grows are expressive of their regionality. For Cabernet Sauvignon, the intriguing earthiness and elegant tannic structure are the hallmarks of Banghoek’s rich soil. Planted on the warm mountain slopes of the valley at Delaire Graff Estate, the vines’ rich red soils run deep, producing smaller berry sizes with a more intense flavour. The fingerprint of the region can be distinctly identified by subtle nuances of mint and remnants of indigenous fynbos.
The Laurence Graff Reserve 2018 was produced with meticulous care and patience. Each grape was washed and picked and sorted in the cool early hours of the African morning, while whole berry fermentation and basket pressing ensured a gentle extraction of fruit. Afterwards, the wine was matured in 80% new French oak barrels for 18 months. A rigorous selection process identified only the finest five barrels, each one bringing forth a specific character within the final flavour profile of the wine.
Delaire Graff Estate winemaker, Morné Vrey says of the wine: “Each stage of our wine-making process was guided by a vision of achieving complete perfection. The result is a truly exceptional vintage with rich, plush, classically elegant flavours that find complete harmony in their expressive balance.”
LAURENCE GRAFF RESERVE 2018 TASTING NOTES
The nose is characterised by freshness and spice, vanilla pod, dark chocolate and hay aromas. Silky and smooth on entry, the wine has a flinty minerality with subtle tannins and huge length and persistence. Tangy, ripe, almost over-ripe red berries together with classic flavours of brambles and cassis dominate the flavour profile.
AN INSPIRED ADVERTISING CAMPAIGN
The print advertising campaign for the Laurence Graff Reserve 2018 was inspired by sculptor Dylan Lewis, whose works feature prominently at Delaire Graff Estate. His sculptures celebrate the power and movement of Africa’s fauna, while the textures he creates capture the ancient rhythms and primeval ruggedness of the African continent’s landscapes. In this image, the Laurence Graff Reserve 2018 is captured within a dark, evocative backdrop, much like a diamond being uncovered within the depths of the earth – a true miracle of Mother Nature.
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