Leeu Passant Stellenbosch Cabernet Sauvignon 2022

Region and Vineyards

The 2022 Leeu Passant Cabernet Sauvignon hails from the mid-slopes of the Helderberg Mountain in Stellenbosch, a region revered for its ability to produce structured, yet elegant Cabernet Sauvignon. These vineyards benefit from iron-rich and sandstone soils that encourage deep rooting, and their positioning on the Helderberg’s maritime-influenced slopes ensures cool conditions and extended ripening. This slow maturation process enhances aromatic purity and freshness, while preserving the natural acidity essential to long-lived, balanced wines.

The microclimate—tempered by ocean breezes from False Bay—yields grapes with moderate sugar levels, restrained alcohol, and vibrant phenolic maturity. The result is a wine that reflects both site-specific intensity and a Bordeaux-style finesse that has come to define Stellenbosch’s best reds.

Winemaking

This 100% Cabernet Sauvignon was harvested between March 10th and 17th, 2022, at yields ranging from four to six tons per hectare—translating to 32 to 38 hectolitres per hectare. Grapes were destemmed upon arrival at the Leeu Passant cellar in Franschhoek, with only a minimal addition of sulphur.

The wine was fermented with indigenous yeasts, using controlled pump-overs and maintaining temperatures below 26°C. This gentle fermentation, lasting around 14 days, was followed by extended maceration to further enhance complexity and mouthfeel. After pressing, the wine matured first in 500L French oak barrels—a third of which were new—for the initial phase. It was later racked and blended into larger format oak for a further sixteen months of élevage before bottling in November 2023.

Tasting Notes

• Color: Deep ruby with a garnet rim, signalling concentration and vibrancy.
• Aroma: Intense notes of blueberry and sapphire plum, lifted by indigenous Cape fynbos (notably fragrant Kapokbos) and subtle cocoa bean undertones.
• Palate: A plush entry of ripe black fruit, followed by sleek, polished tannins and a mineral-driven core. The wine finishes with finesse, length, and a cooling herbal freshness.

Did you know?

Kapokbos, a wild rosemary native to the Cape floral kingdom, is often found growing near vineyards in the Helderberg. Its aromatic presence is frequently echoed in the wines, contributing to the distinctive herbal lift that sets Stellenbosch Cabernet apart from its New World peers.

Wine Pairing Ideas

• Grilled venison loin with rosemary jus – mirrors the wine’s herbal finesse and dark fruit core.
• Beef Wellington with mushroom duxelles – complements the wine’s savoury depth and refined tannins.
• Lamb tagine with prunes and almonds – a rich, spiced pairing that enhances the wine’s fruity dimension.
• Mature cheddar or Comté cheese – matches the wine’s structure and mouth-coating texture.

History of Leeu Passant

Leeu Passant was born from the collaboration between acclaimed winemakers Andrea and Chris Mullineux and Leeu Collection, the luxury hospitality group founded by Indian entrepreneur Analjit Singh. While the Mullineuxs had already earned global recognition for their Swartland wines under Mullineux & Leeu Family Wines, they created Leeu Passant to explore South Africa's historic vineyards beyond the Swartland, with a particular focus on Stellenbosch.

The name "Leeu Passant," meaning “walking lion” in Dutch, evokes both the heritage of the Cape wine lands and the aspiration to produce world-class wines with gravitas and elegance. The winery is situated on the Leeu Estates in Franschhoek, where meticulous viticulture, minimalist winemaking, and classical inspiration converge.

Andrea Mullineux, a trained viticulturist and oenologist from the US, leads the cellar with scientific precision and intuitive artistry. Chris Mullineux, South African by birth, complements her with strategic and stylistic clarity, making them one of the country’s most influential wine duos. Their combined expertise is key to Leeu Passant’s philosophy: single-vineyard expressions and heritage blends that reflect site, season, and soil.

Region and Vineyards

While Leeu Passant’s cellar is based in Franschhoek, the heart of its viticulture lies in Stellenbosch, particularly the Helderberg Mountain, a cooler subregion prized for its elevation, maritime influence, and soil diversity. Their Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon vineyards are planted on high-altitude, gravelly or sandstone slopes, with deep roots and naturally low yields. These terroirs ensure fruit with freshness, purity, and structure.

In parallel, Leeu Passant sources old-vine fruit from historically significant vineyards across the Western Cape, including Wellington and Franschhoek, to craft wines such as their dry cinsault-based blend, inspired by Cape reds of the 20th century. These sites are carefully selected for their heritage, age, and authenticity, and are farmed sustainably.

The team’s viticultural philosophy emphasizes minimal intervention, cover cropping, and soil health, with the goal of expressing the nuances of each parcel with utmost clarity.

Wine Range of Leeu Passant

Leeu Passant produces precision-crafted, terroir-expressive wines. The range includes:

• Leeu Passant Stellenbosch Chardonnay: Grown on the cool Helderberg slopes, it combines salinity, tension, and Burgundian elegance.
• Leeu Passant Stellenbosch Cabernet Sauvignon: A structured, age-worthy red showing classic cassis, herbal lift, and refined tannins.
• Leeu Passant Dry Red Wine: A Cape heritage blend inspired by early 20th-century field blends, often featuring cinsault, cabernet sauvignon, and syrah.
• Single-vineyard releases: Occasionally produced from exceptional old vines or standout parcels in Stellenbosch, Wellington, or Franschhoek.

Each wine is vinified with native yeasts, restrained oak use, and extended élevage, delivering depth without excess, and a clear sense of place.

Did you know?

Leeu Passant’s inspiration lies partly in the rediscovery of historic South African winemaking traditions, notably the great dry reds of the 1950s and 1960s. Their Dry Red Wine is modeled on these blends, which were once compared favorably to First Growth Bordeaux in international tastings.