2020 Aslina ‘Umsasane’ Bordeaux Blend

Responsibly Farmed
Hidden Gem
Classic in Style
Woman Winemaker

Ntsiki Biyela was the first female black winemaker in South Africa and has become one of the most influential women in wine worldwide. Her wines have incredible depth and this Bordeaux blend is no exception. It could easily pass for a high class Médoc.

Organic farming practices, hand-harvested, unfined/unfilered, vegan-friendly!

Red
  • Tasting Notes blackberry, cassis, plum, bell pepper, cocoa, vanilla, tobacco
  • Variety 71% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Cabernet Franc, 12% Petit Verdot
  • Region South Africa
  • Volume 750ml
  • Alcohol Volume 14%
  • Table Talk Umsasane is the Zulu word for umbrella tree, which gives shelter, protection and comfort. It was Ntsiki’s grandmother’s nickname and the bold structure, smoothness and complexity of this wine honor her.

$38.00

Out of stock

Ntsiki Biyela is the first black woman winemaker in South Africa. She grew up in Mahlabathini, a rural village in KwaZulu, Natal. After she graduated from high school, she worked as a domestic worker until she was awarded a scholarship to study winemaking in 1999. She graduated in 2003 with a BS in Agriculture (Viticulture and Oenology) from Stellenbosch University. In 2016, after 13 years of being the winemaker for Stellekaya wines, Ntsiki started Aslina wines. Aslina is inspired by the strength and determination of the biggest influence in her life, her grandmother.She makes organic, minimal intervention, natural wine from Stellenbosch, South Africa.

Ntsiki employs the women in her village to make marketing materials for Aslina and aims to develop the community. She has been called one of the most influential women in Business and Government in South Africa, named woman-winemaker of the year in 2009, and in 2017, she was listed in the world’s top 10 most Innovative Women in Food and Drink by Fortune’s Food & Wine.

BORDEAUX BLENDS
One of the world’s most classic and popular styles of red wine, Bordeaux-inspired blends have spread from their homeland in France to nearly every corner of the New World. Typically based on either Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot and supported by Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot, the best of these are densely hued, fragrant, full of fruit and boast a structure that begs for cellar time. Somm Secret—Blends from Bordeaux are generally earthier compared to those from the New World, which tend to be fruit-dominant.

STELLENBOSCH, SOUTH AFRICA
Situated to the east of Cape Town, the Stellenbosch district lies just inland from the coast surrounding the town of Stellenbosch itself. With an ideal climate giving sufficient rainfall, cool winds, mountain coverage, and a variety of altitudes and soils, Stellenbosch has built a reputation for growing top class red wines. In particular, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, and Red Blends. In the cooler sites, excellent Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay are also grown.