Backsberg Selections

Backsberg started with a penniless political and religious refugee from Lithuania who arrived on the shores of Cape Town in 1902. C.L. Back first made a living as a bicycle delivery ‘boy’ until he purchased a butcher shop at Paarl train station. Old legend has it that someone approached C.L. in the shop and asked about his interest in buying a farm, resulting in him selling the butcher shop and acquiring what was then known as Klein Babylonstoren, nestled in the slopes of the Simonsberg Mountain in 1916. Back then, the crops consisted of mainly grain, livestock, fruit, and eventually wine grapes. In the early 20’s, wine was sold to the KWV or in bulk to destinations such as England. Tankers of wine were loaded for shipment to France to compensate for the wine shortage after WWII. C. L.’s son Sydney Back created ‘Back’s Wines’ as a brand in 1969, followed by Backsberg. 2016 marks 100 years of Backsberg traditions at the vineyard.

Connect with Backsberg

↗ Website
↗ Facebook
↗ Twitter

 

WINES BY BACKSBERG

BLACK LABEL

KOSHER

PREMIUM

TREAD LIGHTLY


JOHN MARTIN SAUVIGNON BLANC – (Backsberg Estate Cellars – Coastal, South Africa)

Available Vintages: 2012, 2014

Silver Medal – Old Mutual Trophy Wine Show

Silver Medal – International Wine Challenge UK (PV)

Silver Medal – Michelangelo Wine Awards (PV)

BLEND / COLOR: 100% Sauvignon Blanc- lightly wooded

PALATE/BOUQUET: Gooseberry, green fig and guava aromas with grassy undertones combined with elegance and freshness, adds to the intriguing qualities of this wine.

WINE DETAILS: 3.37 pH, 2.1 g/L Res. Sugar, 13.5% Alcohol by Vol.

REGION NOTES: This artisan wine was 100% organically grown in a Mediterranean climate from 12 year old vines in Coastal, South Africa on Backsberg Estates.


KLEIN BABYLONSTOREN – (Backsberg Estate Cellars – Paarl, South Africa)

Available Vintages: 2007, 2012

Double Gold Medal – Veritas (PV)

Gold Medal – Concours Mondial de Bruxelles (PV)

Gold Medal – New York World Wine and Spirits Competition (PV)

BLEND / COLOR: 48% Cabernet Sauvignon, 39% Merlot, 3% Malbec, 10% Petit Verdot – wooded for 18 months

PALATE/BOUQUET: A specially crafted cuvee, made to best display each vintage’s varietal intensity and character. Violets, cassis and dried herb aromas are prominent, with blackberry and earthy, forest floor characters on the palate. The fine fruit tannins together with carefully extracted oak tannins support the intensity of the fruit on the palate.

WINE DETAILS: 3.52 pH, 2.7 g/L Res. Sugar, 14.34% Alcohol by Vol.

REGION NOTES: This artisan wine was 100% organically grown in a Mediterranean climate in Paarl.


PUMPHOUSE SHIRAZ – (Backsberg Estate Cellars – Coastal, South Africa)

Available Vintages: 2008, 2011

90 pts – Wine Spectator (PV)

Gold Medal – Concours Mondial de Bruxelles (PV)

Silver Medal – Old Mutual Trophy Wine Show

BLEND / COLOR: 100% Shiraz – oak aged for 18 months

PALATE/BOUQUET: Blackberry, raspberry and rich mocha aromas are interlaced with subtle aniseed and vanilla tones. The use of both French and American oak creates layers of flavors, with the latter contributing sweeter vanilla characters that fill the midpalate. The palate has great weight and depth due to layers of fruit tannins, oak combinations and sheer flavor intensity.

WINE DETAILS: 4.03 pH, 3.0 g/L Res. Sugar, 13.9% Alcohol by Vol.

REGION NOTES: Lyre system vines with sun-worshipping armed vines that ensure maximum ripeness.


KOSHER BRUT – (Backsberg Estate Cellars – Paarl, South Africa)

Available Vintages: N/A

89 pts – Wine Enthusiast

88 pts – Tasting Panel Magazine

Silver Medal – WSW Wine Competition

BLEND / COLOR: 100% Chardonnay

PALATE/BOUQUET: A lively and extremely fine mousse with delicate fruit flavors and a leesy backbone. The finish is light, fresh and lingering.

WINE DETAILS: 3.52 pH, 6.8 g/L Res. Sugar, 11.19% Alcohol by Vol.

REGION NOTES: A fresh, low alcohol Chardonnay base wine. Prior to fermentation, the Chardonnay juice is pasteurized and all handling of the grapes and wine is performed by a Supervisor from the Cape Town Beth Din. The MCC is made in the traditional method of a second fermentation in the bottle and is approved Mevushal / Kosher for Passover.


KOSHER CHARDONNAY – (Backsberg Estate Cellars – Paarl, South Africa)

Available Vintages: 2011, 2013, 2014, 2015

89 pts – Wine Enthusiast (PV)

88 pts – Tasting Panel Magazine (PV)

Silver Medal & Best Buy – BTI – Tastings.com (PV)

BLEND / COLOR: 100% Chardonnay – oaked 30% for 4 months

PALATE/BOUQUET: Lemon zest, melon and hazelnut characters combine to give a complex, but fresh, nose and palate. Natural acidity is balanced by sweet fruit flavours of white peach, giving a medium-bodied wine with a long, rewarding finish.

WINE DETAILS: 3.20 pH, 7.5 g/L Res. Sugar, 13.12% Alcohol by Vol.

REGION NOTES: Chardonnay fruit with ripe tropical flavors, only lightly pressed for a gentle extraction. Pasteurized in the juice stage of production and prepared with the Cape Town Beth Din. The MCC is made in the traditional method of a second fermentation in the bottle and is approved Mevushal / Kosher for Passover.


KOSHER MERLOT – (Backsberg Estate Cellars – Paarl, South Africa)

Available Vintages: 2011, 2013, 2014, 2015

85 pts – Wine Enthusiast (PV)

BLEND / COLOR: 95% Merlot, 5% Durif

PALATE/BOUQUET: This wine displays aromas of raspberry and red plums, succulent sweet fruit flavors and finely integrated tannins.

WINE DETAILS: 3.46 pH, 5 g/L Res. Sugar, 13.8% Alcohol by Vol.

REGION NOTES: Mediterranean climate. The wine is pasteurized and all handling of the grapes and wine is performed by a Supervisor from the Cape Town Beth Din. The MCC is made in the traditional method of a second fermentation in the bottle and is approved Mevushal / Kosher for Passover.


KOSHER PINOTAGE – (Backsberg Estate Cellars – Paarl, South Africa)

Available Vintages: 2010, 2011, 2014, 2015

88 pts – Wine Enthusiast (PV)

Silver Medal – Old Mutual Trophy Wine Show

BLEND / COLOR: 87% Pinotage, 13% Durif

PALATE/BOUQUET: Blackberry, fruitcake and boiled sweets. A juicy mouth-feel with supple, sweet tannins.

WINE DETAILS: 3.4 pH, 2.5 g/L Res. Sugar, 13.53% Alcohol by Vol.

REGION NOTES: Mediterranean climate; sandy clay, med-low yield. The wine is pasteurized and all handling of the grapes and wine is performed by a Supervisor from the Cape Town Beth Din. The MCC is made in the traditional method of a second fermentation in the bottle and is approved Mevushal / Kosher for Passover.


PREMIUM CABERNET SAUVIGNON – (Backsberg Estate Cellars – Paarl, South Africa)

Available Vintages: 2010, 2011

Silver Medal – Veritas

BLEND / COLOR: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon

PALATE/BOUQUET: Spicy aromas of liquorice and vanilla overlay rich blackcurrant fruit. Careful oaking provides the necessary structure for the ripe, full, fruit-driven midpalate. Complex and long lasing, this wine has depth and power and will reward further bottle ageing.

WINE DETAILS: 3.62 pH, 3 g/L Res. Sugar, 14.17% Alcohol by Vol.

REGION NOTES: Sandy clay from Paarl vineyards, med-low yield. East – Southeast elevation.

PREMIUM CHARDONNAY – (Backsberg Estate Cellars – Western Cape, South Africa)

Available Vintages: 2011, 2013, 2015

89 pts – Wine Enthusiast (PV)

88 pts – Tasting Panel Magazine (PV)

Silver Medal – WSWA Wine Competition (PV)

Silver Medal & Best Buy – BTI – Tastings.com (PV)

BLEND / COLOR: 100% Chardonnay – fermented and matured with a selection of French oak chips, staves and barrels for 8 months.

PALATE/BOUQUET: A fusion of intense fruit-forward flavors of pineapple, cashew and cream is balanced by a fresh, citrus finish.

WINE DETAILS: 3.3 pH, 3.9 g/L Res. Sugar, 13.92% Alcohol by Vol.

REGION NOTES: The fruit is from both younger vines, that drive the fruit profile, and low-yielding older vineyards, that provide a very finely structured backbone.

PREMIUM CHENIN BLANC – (Backsberg Estate Cellars – Western Cape, South Africa)

Available Vintages: 2011, 2012, 2014, 2015

Silver Medal – WSWA Wine Competition (PV)

87 pts – eRobertParker.com (PV)

Silver Medal – Veritas (PV)

Bronze Medal – Texsom International Wine Awards

BLEND / COLOR: 100% Chenin Blanc

PALATE/BOUQUET: The wide array of aromatic characters include peach, melon and pineapple. Ripe fruit is tempered by finely balanced acidity to give a mouth-filling, yet refreshing, palate.

WINE DETAILS: 3.4 pH, 6 g/L Res. Sugar, 13% Alcohol by Vol.

REGION NOTES: Mediterranean climate. Grapes are brought in from Darling, Wellington and Paarl.

PREMIUM PINOTAGE – (Backsberg Estate Cellars – Coastal, South Africa)

Available Vintages: 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

88 pts – Wine Enthusiast (PV)

Silver Medal – Old Mutual Trophy Wine Show

BLEND / COLOR: 90% Pinotage, 10% Other

PALATE/BOUQUET: Ripe mulberry and sweet strawberry flavours are complimented by subtle undertones of dried herbs. This Pinotage has a juicy mouth-feel with supple, sweet tannins.

WINE DETAILS: 3.5 pH, 3.9 g/L Res. Sugar, 14.3% Alcohol by Vol.

REGION NOTES: Older vines on sandy, clay soils. A combination of Paarl and Wellington fruit. Mediterranean climate.

PREMIUM SAUVIGNON BLANC – (Backsberg Estate Cellars – Western Cape, South Africa)

Available Vintages: 2011, 2012

88 pts – Wine Enthusiast (PV)

Silver Medal – Old Mutual Trophy Wine Show

BLEND / COLOR: 100% Sauvignon Blanc

PALATE/BOUQUET: Bursting with aromas of gooseberry and passion fruit, this lively wine matches aromatic intensity with freshness and balance. Lime and nettle characters predominate the palate, cleverly matching fruit sweetness with natural acidity.

WINE DETAILS: 3.5 pH, 2.0 g/L Res. Sugar, 13.48% Alcohol by Vol.

REGION NOTES: Clay loam, med-high yield. 12 year old vines. Mediterranean climate.


TREAD LIGHTLY MERLOT – (Backsberg Estate Cellars – Western Cape, South Africa)

Available Vintages: 2010, 2011, 2014

Bronze Medal – U.S. Professional Wine Judging (PV)

BLEND / COLOR: 100% Merlot – oaked 25%

PALATE/BOUQUET: Oak-derived vanilla nuances overlay a body of youngberry and mulberry fruit flavours. Fresh, yet soft, this wine provides great intensity with a supple texture. Bottled in PET.

WINE DETAILS: 3.43 pH, 2.0 g/L Res. Sugar, 14.4% Alcohol by Vol.

REGION NOTES: 2 – 15 year old vineyards. Clay loam, med-high yield.


TREAD LIGHTLY ROSÉ – (Backsberg Estate Cellars – Western Cape, South Africa)

Available Vintages: 2015

BLEND / COLOR: Grenache, Chardonnay, Shiraz, Viognier & Chenin Blanc

PALATE/BOUQUET: Exuberant flavors of raspberry, strawberry and peach make up a seamless, friendly palate with a very good balance between fruit and acidity. An easy and refreshing wine, bottled in carbon neutral PET bottles.

WINE DETAILS: 3.19 pH, 28.1 g/L Res. Sugar, 12.15% Alcohol by Vol.

REGION NOTES: Mediterranean climate.


TREAD LIGHTLY SAUVIGNON BLANC – (Backsberg Estate Cellars – Western Cape, South Africa)

Available Vintages: 2012, 2015

90 pts – Wine Spectator (PV)

Gold Medal – Concours Mondial de Bruxelles (PV)

Silver Medal – Old Mutual Trophy Wine Show

BLEND / COLOR: 100% Shiraz – oak aged for 18 months

PALATE/BOUQUET: Bursting with aromas of gooseberry and passion fruit, this lively wine matches aromatic intensity with freshness and balance. Lime and nettle characters predominate the palate, cleverly matching fruit sweetness with natural acidity. Bottled in carbon neutral PET bottles.

WINE DETAILS: 3.34 pH, 3.5 g/L Res. Sugar, 13.9% Alcohol by Vol.

REGION NOTES: Clay loam, med-high yield, 315m North East -facing Darling, Med yield South and Grabouw med yield East facing.