Ken Forrester offers a wide range of handcrafted and individually made wines that effortlessly partner with a variety of cuisines elevating any meal to a celebration. Each range is unique in its offering and worth taking the time to explore starting with the Reserve Range.
Here, Ken Forrester is responsible for the cultivation of the vines and selection of the fruit, mostly from the family property in Stellenbosch, just 5 kilometres from the cool Atlantic and in the sheltered lee of the majestic Helderberg mountain. This range includes older vineyards, showing more depth of character and concentration.
The range consists of two red blends, the Renegade and Pat’s Garden Reserve, and two single cultivar white wines, Old Vine Reserve Chenin Blanc and Sauvignon Blanc Reserve. These wines express the unique selection of terroir and quality of the vines.
The Renegade was one of the first Rhône style blends in South Africa capturing an Old World elegance with New World fruit. With ripe red and black fruit on the nose that opens up to plum and blackberry supported by warm spice and a salty black olive finish. The nose follows through to the palate with ripe and integrated tannins that offer the structure for a long-lasting finish.
Pat’s Garden Reserve was originally labelled a Merlot and since has evolved into a Bordeaux Right-Bank inspired blend, offering the best of 4 noble varieties of Bordeaux in one delicious bottle. Led by Merlot means you first pick up the ripe red fruit of cherries and plums with the blend bringing in hints of cassis, violets and a minerality. The tannins are ripe and supple ensuring a juicy mouthfeel that makes you want more.
The Old Vine Reserve Chenin Blanc fruit comes from a 38-year-old vineyard in the unique Helderberg area. The wine captures the quality of the mature vines as a golden-hued and full-bodied wine, with melon and spicy baked apple aromas layered with mineral notes. The wine is enhanced by extended lees contact which adds honeycomb and caramel flavours as well as a fuller mouthfeel that carries the persistent finish.
The Sauvignon Blanc Reserve fruit is grown in Stellenbosch, Elim and Darling, offering a unique blend of terroir. This wine shows lovely complexity with a mix of tangy grassy notes, fig leaf, peach and nectarine nuances with brisk acidity and minerality on the palate which is typical of the long hang time in cool regions.
These wines are an example of quality wines that have a balance of intense character and structure that will reward you now and will gain additional complexity with time in the cellar. The Ken Forrester Reserve Range will transform any gathering of those near and dear to you into a celebration.