Critics reviews
4/5 Platter Wine Guide , wineonaplatter.com, Nov 2014
Perched high and proud above the charming ocean-side village of Noordhoek, Cape Point Vineyards has been breaking new ground, literally and figuratively, for well over a decade under talented cellar-master and Cape Winemakers Guild member, Duncan Savage. Vineyards have been established in extreme locations and on treacherous slopes, producing unique terroir-specific wines. The cellar is a converted subterranean mine bunker on the home farm, clad in local rock and offering sweeping views from its decks. This pioneer has elevated the now officially declared Cape Peninsula district’s status for fine Sauvignon-based wines and firmly established itself amongst the elite of the industry.
About this WINE
Cape Point Vineyards
Cape Point Vineyards produces arguably the most complex and fascinating Sauvignon Blanc in the Western Cape and its wines are consistently awarded 4/5 stars by South African wine critic John Platter. The winery and vineyards are located on the narrow Cape Peninsula (spanning 11kms at its widest point), between the icy currents of the Atlantic seaboard and the warm waves of False Bay, all of which results in a unique maritime climate ideal for superior winemaking. The vineyards area situated at Noordhoek and jut out into the sea on a small promontory south-west of Constantia.
Duncan Savage has been with the property for 12 vintages and is justifiably regarded as one of the most innovative young talents in the country. Duncan’s ambition is to explore just how complex wines from Sauvignon can be, eschewing the idea of simply making a facsimile of the New Zealand style through tank fermentation. He seeks to make a more textured Sauvignon, creating layers of flavour and attempting to produce aromas of grapefruit, citrus and stone fruits rather than the ubiquitous gooseberry and elderflower notes. To do this he barrel-ferments up to 80 percent of the crop in old, 600-litre barrels, and adds a percentage of Semillon into the mix.
The results are exceptional, and no less an authority than Eben Sadie – arguably South Africa’s finest winemaker – has been quoted as saying that Cape Point is the country’s finest Sauvignon Blanc.
Sauvignon Blanc
An important white grape in Bordeaux and the Loire Valley that has now found fame in New Zealand and now Chile. It thrives on the gravelly soils of Bordeaux and is blended with Sémillon to produce fresh, dry, crisp Bordeaux Blancs, as well as more prestigious Cru Classé White Graves.
It is also blended with Sémillon, though in lower proportions, to produce the great sweet wines of Sauternes. It performs well in the Loire Valley and particularly on the well-drained chalky soils found in Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé, where it produces bone dry, highly aromatic, racy wines, with grassy and sometimes smoky, gunflint-like nuances.
In New Zealand, Cloudy Bay in the 1980s began producing stunning Sauvignon Blanc wines with extraordinarily intense nettly, gooseberry, and asparagus fruit, that set Marlborough firmly on the world wine map. Today many producers are rivalling Cloudy Bay in terms of quality and Sauvignon Blanc is now New Zealand`s trademark grape.
It is now grown very successfully in Chile producing wines that are almost halfway between the Loire and New Zealand in terms of fruit character. After several false starts, many South African producers are now producing very good quality, rounded fruit-driven Sauvignon Blancs.
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Description
This Sauvignon Blanc has an intense nose of mulberry, gooseberry and citrus fruit. The palate is more restrained and shows great minerality, class and poise with citrus or peachy notes and hint of lemon sherbet on the back palate. This is a well balanced and complex Sauvignon offering from Cape Point. Drink now and over the next year.
Stuart Rae, Fine Wine Manager
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