Product Description
Varieties
Sauvignon Blanc
The Vineyard
The 2019 vintage will be remembered as one that followed the most severe drought in South Africa during 2018. In the second half of 2018, supporting rainfall ensured good soil moisture with cool and moderate ripening and harvesting conditions for 60% of the intake of the 2019 vintage. The 2019 crop was medium sized, resulting in some excellent wines.
The Harvest
A special vineyard selection is made from high-quality vineyards in Lutzville and Darling, plus a small batch of Semillon from De Grendel Vineyards, in which meticulous vineyard management ensures superior fruit concentration and bolder flavours. Grapes were picked separately, depending on phenolic ripeness and flavour components. The vineyards are mostly nourished by weathered shale soils and yield 6 to 7 tons per hectare.
The Cellar
With Lutzville and Darling batches being vinified individually for blending at a later stage, the handpicked grapes were crushed and allowed extended skin contact for approximately 6 hours before the juice was racked and settled for inoculation and fermentation in stainless steel tanks. Approximately 18% of the juice was inoculated and fermented in a combination of new and 2nd fill French Oak barrels, where it was kept on the fine lees for 100 days. The 9% Semillon component was also fermented in oak. Finally, the portions were blended for flavour, depth and complexity before being protein stabilised, cold stabilised and bottled.
Aging Potential
The wine will no doubt develop further over the next 3 to 5 years.
Awards
2019
FNB Sauvignon Blanc 2019 Top 10
Tim Atkin SA Report 2019 91 Points
2017
China Wine & Spirits Awards 2017 Gold
FNB Sauvignon Blanc Top 10 2018
Michelangelo International Wine Awards 2017 Gold
Michelangelo International Wine Awards 2018 Double Gold
Old Mutual Trophy Wine Show 2018 Gold
South African Wine Index 2018 Platinum
Tim Atkin SA Report 2017 91 Points
Veritas Awards 2018 Gold
Vitis Vinifera Awards 2017 Double Gold
2016
Mundus Vini Germany 2017 Gold
2015
Michelangelo International Wine Awards 2015 Gold
Sakura Japan Women’s Wine Awards 2016 Double Gold
2014
Platter’s 4½ stars
Vitis Vinifera Awards Double Gold
2013
Michelangelo International Wine Awards 2018 Double Gold
Platter’s 4½ Stars
Vitis Vinifera Awards 2013 Trophy
Veritas Double Gold
2011
Platter’s 4½ stars
2010
Platter’s 4½ stars
Veritas Double Gold
