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.