Vineyard Blocks

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.

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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.

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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.

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All the wine kept in 2nd fill French oak casks for 7 months with lees stirred 1 - 2 times a month. No malolactic fermentation.

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Bottled on the property by hand with only a light bentonite fining and no filtration or cold stabilization.

Bottling date : 18 / 9 /98

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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.

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Analysis

Alc.14.32               Sug. 2.0              TA 6.8               pH 3.44                VA 0.43               SO2 23/88