The Fledge & Co. Veld Versnip Field Blend revives a historic heritage block inspired by a legendary South African viti-viniculturist. The Fledge & Co. Veld Versnip Field Blend brings together Cinsault, Cabernet Franc, and Alicante Bouschet from a tiny staked-vine (stok-by-paaltjie) site in the Jonkershoek mountains. Decant in its youth or cellar to experience its evolution over coming decades. Pairs brilliantly with slow-roasted leg of lamb, waterblommetjiebredie, char-grilled T-bone steak, or venison pie.
- Aroma: Bright red and black hedgerow fruits from Cinsault shift into earthy, sweet notes of Alicante Bouschet.
- Palate: Layers of gravel, graphite, and blue fruit from Cabernet Franc emerge alongside a juicy, supple texture.
- Finish: Rounded with fine spice, balanced fruit weight, and a serious, intriguing finish.
The team hand-harvests the small yield at dawn and ferments the fruit in a small open-top cement fermenter (lagar) with gentle manual pigeage. After basket pressing, the wine completes fermentation and malo-lactic maturation in old 400L French oak barrels for 18 months. It spends an additional 8 months in tank before bottling unfined and unfiltered, preserving traditional winemaking methods.