1685 Shiraz Cabernet Sauvignon
⏳ Drinking Window
Typically best enjoyed 3–8 years from vintage release.
🍽️ Food & Wine Pairings
Grilled ribeye steak, slow-cooked venison stew, rosemary-roasted lamb chops
✨ Technical Specifications
Named in honor of the year the historic estate was established, Boschendal's 1685 Shiraz Cabernet Sauvignon is a masterful expression of a classic South African red blend. This wine marries the plush, spicy, and dark-fruit character of Shiraz with the structural integrity, refined tannins, and blackcurrant depth of Cabernet Sauvignon. The fruit is sourced from prime vineyards across the Coastal Region, where ancient decomposed granite and shale soils combine with cooling coastal breezes to foster slow, balanced ripening. Each variety is vinified separately to preserve its distinct character before undergoing maturation in French oak barrels, resulting in a seamless blend that balances rich heritage with contemporary elegance.
🍾 About the Producer
Established in 1685 by Huguenot settler Jean le Long and developed by the De Villiers family, Boschendal is one of the oldest wine estates in South Africa. Anchored in the Groot Drakenstein Valley between Franschhoek and Stellenbosch, the estate's vineyards span granite, sandstone, and alluvial terraces sheltered by the Simonsberg and Drakenstein mountain ranges. This dramatic topographical setting yields a Mediterranean macroclimate defined by cool mountain breezes, dry summers, and generous winter rainfall, delivering vibrant natural acidity. Viticulture adheres to rigorous environmental stewardship as a WWF Conservation Champion and Integrated Production of Wine (IPW) practitioner. The winemaking philosophy emphasizes purity, site transparency, and textural balance across both stainless steel and French oak regimes. Boschendal is celebrated for its benchmark Cap Classique sparkling wines, including the Jean Le Long Prestige Cuvée, as well as exceptional still whites like the 1685 Chenin Blanc, Appellation Series Chardonnay, Suzanne white blend, and botrytised Vin D'Or Noble Late Harvest.
🍇 Grapes
Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon
🍷 ABV
14%