A dry vintage with lush fruit and softer natural acidities. Perfectly ripe Sauvignon Blanc fermented with wild yeast in large wood format results in an array of complexity.
Elgin Highlands
2023 Elgin Highlands Wild Ferment Sauvignon Blanc
R294.00
Perfectly ripe Sauvignon Blanc fermented with wild yeast in large wood format results in an array of complexity: textured, multi-layered with minerality, salinity, blackcurrant, white stone fruits, a rich palate and long zesty finish. A dry vintage with lush fruit and softer natural acidities.
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Description
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Accolades
Accolades
MIGUEL CHAN [ 96/100 ]
“Made from Sauvignon Blanc fermented with indigenous wild yeasts in large oak barrels results in an incredibly complex expression of this cultivar. Cool climate Elgin is indeed a true home for this variety and this 2022 expression is a rich, bold interpretation with aromatics packed with ripe heady, savoury aromatics of lemon biscuits and savoury lees, delicate black currant leaf, mint leaf and mojito syrup before rock salt, fresh fennel root and bruised green mango nuances. The palate is intense, focused, and incredibly vibrant, simply brimming with a delicious sweet and sour acidity, sweet gooseberry, stem ginger and finishing with a delicately grassy, fig preserve complexity. The richness and glycerol, textured mouthfeel is to die for and the finish, so long you lose sight of it crossing the finishing line. Savoury and slightly wild, this wine opens up a proverbial pandora’s box of exoticism, intrigue and excitement for the Sauvignon Blanc cultivar. Drink now on release and over the next 5 to 8+ years.”
GREG SHERWOOD MW [95/100]
TIM ATKIN MW 2023 SOUTH AFRICA SPECIAL REPORT [ 93/100 ]
DOUBLE GOLD MEDAL, GILBERT & GAILLARD INTERNATIONAL CHALLENGE [ 93/100 ]
“Natural ferment / 11 months in 500L older oak, beautifully and subtly integrated, adds a seductive toasted hazelnut nuance to fresh green fruit from 3 clones and 4 vineyards with varying aspects. Richer than sibling but balanced by vibrant acid. Long finish.”
PLATTER’S WINE GUIDE [ 4½ stars – 94/100 ]
“It combines intense and saline freshness with a wondrously delicious creaminess. Simply gorgeous.”
ANNE KREBIEHL MW
“Aromas of grapefruit, peaches, green bell pepper and sage. Medium-bodied with silky texture. Mineral with some saline character pairing nicely with the savory fruit. Sustainable. Drink now.”
JAMESSUCKLING.COM [ 91/100 ]
2020 Sauvignon Blanc SA Top 10 competition winner
SAUVIGNON BLANC SOUTH AFRICA, sauvignonblanc.com
“Cooked citrus, sweet spices, generous oak spice. Oak plays a central role here, but the fruit intermingles with the naturalness of Graves or Napa. For Sauvignon, this is relatively low in acidity but it retains balance and has incredibly impressive length. The height of sophistication for Sauvignon Blanc.”
RICHARD HEMMING MW [17.5/20] -
Technical Details
Technical Details
ALCOHOL 12.8% RESIDUAL SUGAR 2.4 g/l TOTAL ACIDITY 8.0 g/l PH 3.1 -
Winemaking
Winemaking
The grapes were hand-picked and whole bunch pressed. The juice was settled for 12 hours before being racked to 500L French oak barrels (2nd, 3rd and 4th fill). Fermentation was spontaneous and the temperature was kept between 18-22°C. The wine was aged for 11 months in barrel, before it was racked and blended in stainless steel tanks. The wine aged for a further 3 months in tank and was clarified and stabilised naturally and lightly filtered before being bottled.
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Vintage Notes
Vintage Notes
After below-average winter rainfall during winter, an unusually wet spring ensued. Warmer and drier weather during November, December and January accelerated the ripening process and at this stage we expected harvest to be a week or two earlier than in 2022.
February and March were characterised by very cool temperatures and unusually high rainfall. Increase in decease pressure necessitated that we monitor the vineyards more carefully and do more precise canopy work.
The cooler conditions during February and March slowed down the ripening process of the vines. The resulting wines are showing beautiful expressive fruit, with lovely fruit concentration and bright acidities, giving the wine great vibrancy and tension.
