Vineyard Blocks 

The maiden vintage from an extraordinary new vineyard on the Springfontein farm south of the Hermanus lagoon, within a few kilometres of the whales of Walker Bay.  The soil is pure active limestone – unique in South Africa at this stage.  Four year old vines on a 5 wire trellis with moveable foliage wires.  Soil moisture carefully monitored and irrigated with microjets as necessary to enhance quality.  Yield 5 tons / hectare. 

 

Vintage Conditions

The cool wet winter got the growing season off to an excellent start with even budding and the rest of the season was relatively trouble-free.  The cool, dry weather leading up to the harvest meant the grapes developed concentrated, complex flavours that may take a while to develop in the bottle.  The grapes were picked in the cool mornings @ 22.4 – 23.3º Balling.

Harvest dates: 13 / 2 / 03 - 20 / 2 / 03

 

Production

Grapes lightly crushed and allowed 2 hours skin contact before gently pressing in a traditional basket press. Sulphur and dry ice added and natural settling allowed for 2 days before

100 % barrel fermentation with natural yeasts.

 All the wine kept in 225 ℓ casks for 8 months with lees stirred 1 - 2 times a month initially.

10% new American oak used.  No malolactic fermentation.

 

Bottled unfiltered on the Mont Fleur property by hand with only a light bentonite fining.

Bottling date : 3 / 12 / 03.

 

Tasting Notes

An appealing pale yellow colour.  The nose shows a chalky floral character complimented by subtle vanilla oak and some minerality. 

The palate is elegant with a subtle, complex richness and long aftertaste. Probably best between 2003 and 2007.

Excellent with sushi, fish and seafood dishes, or on its own.

 

Analysis

ALC. 13.9%           SUGAR 1.2           TA 6.54            pH 3.39           VA 0.44          SO2  32 & 109