{"product_id":"hogan-mirror-for-the-sun-cabernet-franc-2025","title":"Hogan ‘Mirror For The Sun’ Cabernet Franc 2025","description":"\u003cp class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchorContainer\"\u003eHogan ‘Mirror For The Sun’ Cabernet Franc 2025 is Jocelyn Hogan Wilson’s beautifully perfumed, restrained expression of Cabernet Franc from the lower Helderberg in Stellenbosch.\u003cspan class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchor\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe fruit comes from a 15-year-old trellised vineyard planted on granitic soils, just 2km from the coast. That proximity to the ocean is particularly important during Stellenbosch’s hot February and March months, helping preserve the freshness that has become one of the signatures of this wine. \u003cspan class=\"contents\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe vineyard is carefully managed to avoid Cabernet Franc becoming excessively green. Leaf removal around the bunch zone allows additional sunlight onto the grapes, helping them ripen properly while retaining the herbal character that makes the variety so distinctive. \u003cspan class=\"contents\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn the cellar, Jocelyn keeps things deliberately gentle. The grapes are sorted, crushed and fermented without whole bunches, using spontaneous fermentation in open-top fermenters. Extraction is minimal, just two punch-downs per day, before the wine spends nine months in older 225L French oak barrels. \u003cspan class=\"contents\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt's Cabernet Franc about perfume, freshness and drinkability rather than sheer power.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eTasting Notes\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eColour:\u003c\/strong\u003e Bright ruby red with excellent clarity.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNose:\u003c\/strong\u003e Wonderfully aromatic, opening with red cherry and raspberry, followed by rose petals, garden herbs and a lovely crack of white pepper. It's floral and savoury without becoming excessively leafy or green. \u003cspan class=\"contents\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePalate:\u003c\/strong\u003e Juicy, pure red fruit with excellent ripeness, balanced by bright acidity and soft, finely textured tannins. There's enough concentration to give the wine presence, but the overall impression remains elegant and energetic rather than heavy. \u003cspan class=\"contents\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFinish:\u003c\/strong\u003e Fresh, savoury and persistent, with lingering red berries, herbs and subtle spice.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eAwards \u0026amp; Accolades\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e95 Points — Tim Atkin MW, South Africa Report 2026 \u003cspan class=\"contents\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e94 Points — Christian Eedes\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eTechnical Details\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProducer:\u003c\/strong\u003e Hogan Wines\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWinemaker:\u003c\/strong\u003e Jocelyn Hogan Wilson\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eVintage:\u003c\/strong\u003e 2025\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin:\u003c\/strong\u003e Stellenbosch, Western Cape, South Africa\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSub-region:\u003c\/strong\u003e Lower Helderberg\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGrape Variety:\u003c\/strong\u003e 100% Cabernet Franc\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eVine Age:\u003c\/strong\u003e Approximately 15 years\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eVine Training:\u003c\/strong\u003e Trellised\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSoils:\u003c\/strong\u003e Granitic\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDistance from Coast:\u003c\/strong\u003e Approximately 2km\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhole Bunch:\u003c\/strong\u003e None\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFermentation:\u003c\/strong\u003e Spontaneous \/ indigenous yeast\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFermentation Vessel:\u003c\/strong\u003e Open-top fermenters\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eExtraction:\u003c\/strong\u003e Gentle, approximately two punch-downs daily\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMaturation:\u003c\/strong\u003e 9 months\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOak:\u003c\/strong\u003e Older 225L French oak barrels\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eABV:\u003c\/strong\u003e 14%\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBottle Size:\u003c\/strong\u003e 750ml\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Ex-Animo","offers":[{"title":"Single","offer_id":42370000519191,"sku":"","price":469.99,"currency_code":"ZAR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/3026\/9496\/files\/Hogan_Mirror_For_The_Sun_Cabernet_Franc_2025.jpg?v=1789133959","url":"https:\/\/mothercityliquor.co.za\/fr\/products\/hogan-mirror-for-the-sun-cabernet-franc-2025","provider":"Mothercity Liquor","version":"1.0","type":"link"}