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VINEYARD BLOCK
1 block 15 year old Sauvignon Blanc vines on a 3 wire vertical
trellis. Vineyard situated near top of the Blaauwklip valley
on the NE slopes of the Helderberg mountain. Deep red Hutton
soil with good moisture retention. Unirrigated. Yield 6 tons
/ hect.
VINTAGE CONDITIONS
A good vintage with a resonably easy growing period. The ripening
period was warm and dry, producing a small crop of excellent
quality. Grapes were picked in the cool mornings arriving
at the cellar at 24 degrees balling.
Harvest date : 11 - 12 / 2 /98 @ 23.8 - 24.5° balling.
PRODUCTION
Lightly crushed followed by 3 hours skin contact before gently
pressing in traditional basket press. Sulphur added and natural
settling allowed for 2 days before 100% barrel fermentation
on natural yeasts.
All the wine kept in 2nd fill French oak casks for 7 months
with lees stirred 1 - 2 times a month. No malolactic fermentation.
Bottled on the property by hand with only a light bentonite
fining and no filtration or cold stabilization.
Bottling date : 18 / 9 /98
TASTING NOTES
A clear, attractive pale yellow colour. The nose is subtle,
but complex, with gooseberry, vanilla and herbaceous aromas.
Powerful, fullbodied palate with a crisp, crunchy acidity
complimented by ripe fruit flavours and a touch of oak. Fine,
long aftertaste.
Excellent with fish and seafood dishes and delicate white
meats. Also good as an aperitif.
ANALYSIS
Alc.14.32 Sug. 2.0 TA 6.8
pH 3.44 VA 0.43 SO2 23/88
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