After more than a decade away, one of Alto’s most distinctive wines is making a comeback. The Alto Cape Vintage 2024, formerly known as Fine Old Vintage, marks the return of a style last produced in 2012 – now with a fresh look and a new expression of the estate’s Shiraz.
Crafted by Alto winemaker Bertho van der Westhuizen, the 2024 vintage draws on the wine’s heritage while taking it somewhere new. For van der Westhuizen, its return offered a chance to reconnect with an important part of Alto’s history while allowing this latest vintage to stand firmly on its own.
“There is something special about recreating an Alto wine after all this time. It connects us with Alto’s history while giving us the opportunity to create something new. It has been 14 years since we last produced this style, so it was important to us to honour what came before while allowing the 2024 vintage to express itself in its own way,” says van der Westhuizen.
In the glass, the Cape Vintage is deep magenta, with an aromatic profile that brings to mind a classic Negroni: blood orange, hibiscus tea and warm baking spice. Mature brandy fortification adds depth to the Shiraz, revealing layers of white pepper, savoury spice, rich plum and date.
The palate is equally complex, with seamless tannins threaded through spice and subtle umami notes, followed by hints of molasses. A touch of cedar from old French oak adds another layer, before a long finish of spiced citrus.
Traditionally served at the end of a meal, the Cape Vintage is made for slow, considered pairings. Think a well-curated cheese board with aged cheddar, blue cheese or Manchego, roast duck with orange glaze, or an indulgent chocolate dessert. For those who enjoy tradition, it also makes a fitting companion to a good cigar.
Fourteen years later, Alto Cape Vintage returns with a fresh expression of its heritage – proving that some things are worth the wait.
