Technical Specifications
Alcohol 14.12%
Residual Sugar 2.25 g/L
pH 3.42
Total Acidity 6.25 g/L
Calories (estimated) 120 kcal / glass
150ml glass120 kcal
750ml bottle600 kcal
Grape Varieties Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon
Sauvignon Blanc88%
Semillon12%
Drinking Window at least a decade
Region Durbanville
Soil Deep, Red soils
Elevation 180.0 meters
Orientation Southern, Eastern
Vine Age 35-year-old bush vines, 18-year-old trellised vineyards, Semillon block planted in 1996
Fermentation Vessels Stainless Steel, Oak Barrel
Oak Aging 10 months
Lees Aging 0 years
Oak Types French
Barrel Size 300 litre, 500 litre, 600 litres
Serving Temperature 15-18°C · 59-64°F
Production Details The Sauvignon Blanc grapes were selected from four different blocks on southern and eastern slopes with deep, red soils. The soils have very good water-holding capacity to prevent stress in dry conditions. The low bearing, 35-year-old bush vines produce beautifully balanced fruit with mineral flavours accompanied by the younger, higher slope vines with tropical fruit, kept cool by the cool Atlantic and False Bay sea breeze. The two 18-year-old trellised vineyards higher up on the hill supplied the more typical fruity aromas. At a height of 180 to 200 meters above sea, they are exposed to the cool southeasterly breezes blowing in from nearby False Bay. The Semillon block was planted in 1996 in the cool heart of the valley, where the vines are known to contribute to the fullness of the palate. Satellite technology was used to identify the premium spots in each block. Only grapes from these spots were harvested and used to make this wine. The decision on when to pick was made by regularly tasting the grapes to establish the ripening profile and prevent overly fruity grapes to enable complexity rather than mere fruitiness. To safeguard gentle handling of the grapes during harvest, the winemakers hand-selected a dedicated team that picked the grapes, ensuring a careful selection of the best fruit in the vineyard. Both the Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon were handpicked at optimum ripeness in the early morning. The grapes were crushed and allowed to cold settle for three days, with lees stirring once a day. The clean juice was racked to a stainless-steel fermentation tank and inoculated with a selected yeast strain. The first 5°B of fermentation was done in tank and thereafter transferred to barrels to complete fermentation. The winemakers selected a combination of new and old French oak barrels; focusing on three sizes, namely 300 litre, 500 litre and 600 litres to mature the wine for a further 10 months to ensure a better extraction of the flavours and overall complexity. During maturation the wine was regularly stirred to add complexity to the blend. After maturation, the winemaking team spent a number of days selecting the best barrels to create the perfect blend.
Tasting Notes
Nose: tropical fruit, yellow fruit, peaches, apricot, grapefruit, winter melon, citrus
Palate: tropical fruit, citrus, fresh minerality, salty finish
Food Pairing shellfish, oysters, mussels, sushi, veal, chicken dishes
▸ Sources (1)
Producer Information
Website
Address
Plattekloof Road, Durbanville, 7550, South Africa
Phone
+27 (0)21 558 1300
Email
Cellarmaster
Pieter-Niel Rossouw