Wine Composition
100% Sauvignon Blanc
Winemakers Comments
This wine is packed full of flavor and keeps you going back to the glass to appreciate more of what it has to offer. The lime and stone fruit notes are very prominent on the nose and are complemented by a lovely minerality. The palate is well- structured and nicely balanced, with the natural acidity contributing to a long finish.
Awards
John Platter | 93 points
Technical Analysis
Alcohol Percentage
14%
TA
7g/l
pH
3.04
RS
4g/l
Vineyard / Cellar Techniques
Grapes picked early in the morning when they are still cool, which helps to preserve the flavors. Extracting juice from the grape skins is achieved through gentle whole-bunch basket pressing. This is the most delicate way to extract the juice. After settling at a cool temperature for 24 hours, the juice is racked to the fermentation vessels. They rely only on naturally present, wild yeasts to start and complete the fermentation process.
All of the juice was fermented in older 600-liter barrels. After a very slow fermentation process of approximately 8 months, followed by an extra month on the primary lees, the wine was racked off in preparation for bottling. An extended alcoholic fermentation ensures that the juice is continuously in contact with the gross lees, adding more complexity and weight to the palate.
In keeping with their philosophy of minimum intervention, Waterkloof Sauvignon Blanc was not protein stabilized and only a coarse filtration was allowed prior to bottling. It may form tartrate crystals if left under cold conditions for a prolonged time. This has no negative effect on the quality or taste of our flagship wine; the wine can simply be decanted if any appear.
Winemaker
Name - Nadia Barnard
Winery
Waterkloof is located on the southwest facing, low-yielding and windswept slopes of Schapenberg (overlooking False Bay). Here the blustery southeastern (and sometimes the northwest wind as well) churns up the vineyards with regularity. This not only allows for a very low yield, but the flavours intensify a flinty minerality.
We use organic and biodynamic winemaking methods and adhere to Old World, sustainable practices in our vineyards to ensure that the vines are nourished and in balance. Our soils are free of chemicals and are kept healthy by using plant extracts, fungi, and bacteria from our own organic compost.
The two single vineyard blocks which we used are about four kilometers from the sea and are planted at a height of between 270 and 300 meters above sea level. The soils are of sandstone origin with medium-sized stones, helping with drainage and moisture retention. The vineyards are 20 years old.
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