Some wines are made to be enjoyed immediately. Others reward patience. Alto Wine Estate’s newly released 10-Year Collection firmly belongs in the second category.
The Stellenbosch estate has unveiled a limited selection of its 2016 vintage wines, offering wine lovers a rare opportunity to experience how exceptional reds evolve over a decade.
The collection reflects a vintage shaped by a warm, dry growing season and smaller yields, conditions that produced concentrated berries packed with flavour, colour, and character.
- At the heart of the release is the Alto Cabernet Sauvignon 2016, a wine that continues to showcase why Cabernet Sauvignon remains the estate’s flagship variety. After ten years of maturation, it reveals layers of blackcurrant, liquorice, and cedar, supported by refined tannins and remarkable structure.
- The Alto Shiraz 2016, available in both 750ml and Magnum formats, offers a vibrant expression of the vintage with notes of white pepper, plum, and savoury spice. Meanwhile, the Alto Estate Blend 2016 demonstrates the estate’s blending expertise, combining Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, and Petit Verdot into a wine that is balanced, complex, and elegantly layered.
- Perhaps the most intriguing release is the Alto M.P.H.S. 2016. Produced only in exceptional vintages and in very limited quantities, this celebrated blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc earned Alto its first-ever five-star rating in Platter’s Wine Guide. Rich aromas of blackcurrant, leather, and Helderberg fynbos lead into a powerful palate that makes it a true collector’s item.
For enthusiasts, collectors, and anyone curious about the rewards of patience, the Alto 10-Year Release offers a fascinating snapshot of how time, terroir, and craftsmanship come together in the bottle. The collection is available in limited quantities and, once sold out, no additional stock will be released. Orders over R1000 qualify for free delivery within South Africa. Explore the collection here
