Indaba Mosaic is a Cabernet Sauvignon dominated Bordeaux blend, displaying alluring aromas and juicy flavours of blackcurrant, ripe, earthy berry fruit and dark chocolate, with subtle spice notes. Smooth, gentle tannins coat the palate, enticing you to take another sip!
- Country: South Africa
- Region: Coastal Region
- Subregion: Paardeberg, Paarl, Swartland & Stellenbosch
- Vintage: 2018/19
- Colour: Red
- Grape Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, Merlot, Malbec, Cabernet Franc
- ABV: 14%
- Bottle Size: 75cl
- Closure: Screwcap
- Style: Rich and smooth
- Drink With: Lamb steaks stuffed with Feta cheese
Indaba Mosaic grapes were sourced from select vineyard sites in Paardeberg, Paarl, Swartland and Stellenbosch. The Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot vineyards are planted on the easterly foothills of the Paardeberg Mountain on deep weathered shale soils with an exceptional water holding capacity. The Petit Verdot grapes come from unirrigated vineyards in the Swartland region, with deep, well drained, red loamy soils. The Cabernet Franc and Malbec were grown in decomposed granite, clay and sandstone soils in Stellenbosch. The vines range from 7 to 22 years old.
The grapes were harvested at peak ripeness, then de-stemmed, crushed and left to cold soak for 2-3 days. The individual components were fermented naturally on the skins in stainless steel tanks until dry, with gentle pumpovers performed regularly. The wine was then pressed and returned to tank for malolactic fermentation and ageing.
From Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar:
A five variety Bordeaux blend consisting of 74% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Petit Verdot, 6% Merlot, 6% Malbec and 1% of Cabernet Franc, done almost entirely in stainless steel. Bright, dark red with ruby highlights. Aromas of dark berries, bitter chocolate and herbs lifted by violet. Then surprisingly brisk and delineated on the palate, with dark fruit, herb and spice flavours displaying excellent energy and firmness. 88 Points
About the grower
Leading the world in sustainability, South Africa is largely considered to be the greenest wine region on earth. Indaba wines are crafted in the Cape Floral Kingdom, the smallest, yet most diverse of the six plant kingdoms described by botanist Ronald Good. The look and spirit of Indaba reflects both South Africa’s position as a leader in sustainable production and the handcrafted approach found in the country’s art world.
Indaba is a Zulu word meaning "a meeting of the minds", a traditional gathering of tribal leaders for sharing ideas. Indaba was created as a celebration of the democratisation process in South Africa and it embodies the notion of coming together. Indaba is taking its long-standing commitment to education in the vineyard to the next level by kick starting the WELL Project (Winelands Education for Living and Learning) in South Africa. The Project will support childhood development by providing infrastructure, learning materials and teacher training at schools established for wineland workers' children.
Indaba sales also provide financial assistance to the Pinotage Youth Development Academy, a program that assists motivated but currently unemployed South African young adults by providing a combination of technical and personal life skills, supported by work opportunities on farms.
Established by Cape Classics, a portion of the proceeds from the Indaba wine brand’s global sales support the newly-created Indaba Education Fund (IEF). Formerly known as the Indaba Scholarship, Indaba has provided many bursaries for students to pursue wine-industry-related graduate and post-graduate studies since 1998. Via IEF, Indaba is further boosting its commitment to education by shifting its focus to the crucial area of early childhood development (ECD). The Indaba Education Fund’s mission will be to provide teacher training, infrastructure and learning materials all based on a Montessori approach, at schools established for wine farm workers’ children in the Cape Winelands. This training is coordinated in the Winelands through the Stellenbosch-based Sustainability Institute and the Newberry House School. IEF aims to implement positive changes in society by starting at the beginning – identifying and fostering untapped potential in children at an early, receptive and influential age in hopes of encouraging brighter futures.
In order to preserve the precious nature of the area, Indaba takes careful measures to ensure that conservation and sustainability remain top priorities during the production of its wines. Indaba wines are Integrity and Sustainability Certified and every bottle has a sustainability seal displayed on its capsule. Certified by the Wine and Spirit Board of South Africa, this seal is a guarantee of the wine’s origin, vintage and variety as stated on the wine label. It is also a guarantee that the wine complies with IPW criteria – Integrated Production of Wine, a voluntary environmental protection program established by the South African wine industry. The seal verifies that your bottle of Indaba was crafted under strict guidelines requiring eco-friendly wine production and sustainable agricultural, manufacturing and packaging practices.
Indaba wines are crafted by winemaker Bruwer Raats, who has been with the estate since 2008. Bruwer is also proprietor and winemaker of internationally acclaimed Raats Family Wines in South Africa. He brings extensive knowledge and a personal devotion to Indaba, aiming to create handcrafted wines that are fresh, juicy and approachable.
Bruwer oversees the sourcing of grapes and works closely with the various growers (most of them under long-term contract with Indaba) to impact viticulture decisions and to drive the ultimate style of the wines. All grapes are handpicked with meticulous attention to detail. The result is a range of wines that are truly distinctive representations of the soil in which they are grown, remaining food friendly and offering something for every palate. Consistently garnering “Best Value” and “Best Buy” accolades, Indaba Wines deliver character and structure well beyond their price.