The Legacy of The Crescendo
The Crescendo is a wine that reflects tradition and skilled craftsmanship, shaped by values that have guided it since the 1990s.
It stays true to its classic Bordeaux blend, featuring the elegance of Cabernet Franc, the richness of Merlot, and the depth of Cabernet Sauvignon.
Each bottle is made with minimal interference, letting nature play the leading role and honouring the land where the grapes are grown.
With a strong connection to its heritage, The Crescendo remains a symbol of lasting quality and dedication to excellence.
The Vinification Process
The Crescendo is made with a simple approach, letting the natural qualities of the grapes shine through.
Each grape is carefully handpicked to ensure only the best reach the cellar. Once there, they are gently moved using gravity, without pumps or harsh handling, this is done by placing the grapes on a higher level and letting them gently fall into the fermentation vessels below
This method protects the grapes and creates a wine with smooth tannins and perfect balance.
The result is a wine that not only impresses from the first sip but also ages beautifully, offering both immediate enjoyment and lasting elegance.
A Signature Bordeaux Blend
The Crescendo is a notable example of the Bordeaux tradition, blending three high-quality grape varieties.
Leading the blend is Cabernet Franc (49%), which adds elegance and structure with its refined, aromatic qualities.
Merlot (36%) follows, bringing a soft, smooth richness and lush fruit flavours.
Finally, Cabernet Sauvignon (15%) deepens the wine with strong tannins and the ability to age well. Together, these grapes create a balanced and complex wine, full of layers and a lasting finish.
The Crescendo stays true to its Bordeaux roots, standing out as a blend of distinction and refinement.
Maturation: Time-Honoured Techniques With Modern Precision
The Crescendo’s maturation process blends tradition with modern techniques to enhance the wine’s character over time.
It is aged for three years in a mix of 225-liter oak barrels, 9000-liter Foudre vessels, and 4500-liter cement tanks.
Each vessel brings something unique to the wine. The oak barrels add subtle wood flavours and soften the tannins, improving texture.
The large Foudre vessels preserve the wine’s fruity freshness while adding complexity, and the cement tanks help maintain the wine’s pure, natural character, allowing the vineyard’s terroir to shine.
This mix of aging environments gives The Crescendo depth and balance.
The different elements from each vessel come together smoothly, creating a wine that is rich, layered, and perfectly integrated.
This careful approach ensures every bottle delivers a refined and memorable drinking experience, full of complex flavours and textures.
A Wine Born of Nature’s Rhythms: The Harvest Journals
At Taaibosch, each vintage of The Crescendo tells a story shaped by nature’s unique rhythms.
The winemaking team meticulously records the weather patterns and vineyard conditions each year, ensuring that the signature of every vintage is captured in its fullest expression.
These detailed Harvest Journals document the nuances of each growing season, highlighting how the environment plays a pivotal role in the character of the wine.
- 2020 Vintage: Recovery and Growth
After two tough years, the 2020 vintage brought better conditions. Cold temperatures and good winter rains gave the vines a healthy rest, helping them grow strong. A mild summer allowed for even bud break and balanced growth, leading to a 5% increase in yield without sacrificing quality. This vintage highlights the vines’ resilience and produces a wine with bright fruit flavours and greater depth.
- 2019 Vintage: Challenges of Late Winter
In 2019, winter rains arrived late, with the coldest and wettest weather hitting in August. The lingering effects of past droughts affected the vines, causing uneven budding and berry growth. However, thanks to careful canopy management, the team achieved even ripening. Despite the challenges, the result was a wine that beautifully balances structure and finesse.
- 2018 Vintage: Drought and Delayed Harvest
The 2018 vintage was marked by one of the worst droughts in the Western Cape. Rainfall was much lower than usual, and cooler weather lasted until late October, pushing the harvest back by 12 days. However, without the usual summer heatwaves, the grapes ripened more slowly, creating a vintage with elegance and a refined flavour profile. Despite the tough conditions, the 2018 wine highlights the vineyard’s resilience and the winemaking team’s skill. These Harvest Journals offer insight into how the environment shapes each vintage of The Crescendo, adding uniqueness and complexity to every bottle.
The Crescendo’s Character
With an alcohol content of 13.5%, The Crescendo is structured but approachable, making it enjoyable both in its youth and after years of bottle maturation. The vines, aged 20 years and older, bring depth and concentration to the wine, while the Wine of Origin Stellenbosch label emphasizes the distinct terroir that influences its character. As time passes, The Crescendo continues to evolve, offering a rich and enduring drinking experience that reflects both tradition and craftsmanship.
Conclusion
The Crescendo showcases Taaibosch’s dedication to combining traditional winemaking with modern precision. From handpicking the grapes to carefully crafting the wine through each stage, every step is taken to preserve its quality and highlight the unique qualities of the vineyard.
The Crescendo’s smooth tannins, balanced blend, and ability to age gracefully set it apart as a truly exceptional wine.
Each bottle represents the harmony of terroir, craftsmanship, and nature, delivering a rich and layered experience with every sip. Whether enjoyed now or after aging, The Crescendo reflects the timeless artistry behind its creation.
Experience the perfect blend of tradition and innovation in every glass of The Crescendo.
