The exclusive Book XVII was born from a desire to craft the greatest wine in South Africa, and in order to do so, not a single one of the vast expenses or efforts could be spared. This philosophy and approach is what secured Book XVII 2015 the honourable title as Wine Enthusiast’s Top Rated SA Wine Ever. The long-awaited launch of this luxurious wine’s 2016 vintage has arrived and what an incredible vintage it yet again is…
Winemaker, Charles Williams believes the sensational Book XVII 2016 is a true celebration of this vintage’s magnificent fruit expression and its impressively bold characteristics, which is perfectly balanced by its finesse and elegance. This, paired with the team’s meticulous attention to detail, the extreme measures they take and the winemaking team’s indisputable passion, the result is bound to be one of exclusive craftsmanship. Craftsmanship that knows no limitations, no restrictions, a wine of uncompromising quality, Book XVII.
The 2016 vintage of this fabled SA Bordeaux-style blend is velvety smooth and seductive in a way that its charms are impossible to resist. An ultra-sophisticated wine with a reputation that precedes it, so much so that annual client pre-bookings secure about two thirds of every single vintage’s mere 1 000 bottles produced. For the remarkable 2016 vintage, a mere 187 bottles remain of the sheer 1080 bottles produced.
Each bottle is individually labelled and uniquely numbered by hand. Its specially designed handcrafted wooden case, accompanied by the iconic key, ensures the safekeeping of this rare collector’s item with the remarkable ageing potential of 40 years plus.
To ensure a seamless synergy between technology and tradition, near infra-red aerial imaging is used to specifically identify vines of only the highest quality. These Book XVII vines are carefully hand-pruned to grow only four, perfectly balanced bunches per single vine. Each of these bunches receive individual attention and very specific manicuring during the ripening process, after which it is hand-harvested and also destemmed by the gentlest handling of a very select team. All of this, before submitting it to New French Oak barrels twice, for a period of 18 months in total.
This exact artistry is what recently secured the 2016 vintage’s predecessor, Book XVII 2015 vintage, a glorious rating of 96 Points and the title as SA’s Highest Rated Wine Ever in the Wine Enthusiast 100 List. It was also included in the Cellar Selections, a list recognising investment wines, wines of outstanding quality with a phenomenal ageing potential. The Vivino Community certainly agrees, rating this wine among the Top 1% of All Wines in the World and describing it as a masterpiece.
The lifelong dream, the endless commitment & the exceptional skill made for a combination that is out of this world, a combination that is known as Book XVII...
