Country: South Africa  Region: Cape South Coast  Vintage: 2015   Category: White Wine  Color:  White   Varietal: Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon Producer: Gabriëlskloof "Gabriëlskloof is a beautiful wine estate located near Bot River in the Overberg region east of Cape Town. It was purchased in 2001 by Bernhard Heyns, who had been on the lookout for the ideal place to plant vines. After planting, his first vintage was in 2009. We felt compelled to add Gabriëlskloof to our list because Peter-Allan Finlayson, Bernhard’s son in law, took over as winemaker from the 2015 vintage. The farm has 300 hectares, with 68 hectares planted to vines. The climate is cool with maritime influences coming from Walker Bay. The vineyards are planted with 70% red (Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah) and 30% white varieties (Sauvignon Blanc, Chenin Blanc and Viognier). The vineyards are farmed sustainably with the aim to move to organic farming in the future. The fruit for the Sauvignon Blanc comes from seven different low-yielding (38hl/ha) vineyards planted on tough rocky sandstone and shale soils. This adds complexity and concentration. The Sauvignon Blanc is fermented and aged in stainless steel to retain the primary fruit aromas. It is elegant in style with fresh acidity and aromas ranging from kiwi to nettles. ‘Rosebud’, as the name suggests, is like an unopened rose, pale pink, elegant and floral. It is dry in style with crisp acidity and a round finish. Made From old vine Chenin Blanc grown in the Paardeberg region of the Swartland, the Elodie Chenin Blanc is fermented in old French oak barrels, which adds complexity to the wine. The nose offers subtle citrus and white floral aromas, coupled with layers of almond and dried pineapple. The palate is opulent with great natural acidity and freshness, typical of old vine Chenin. Magdalena, an oaked Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc blend is made oxidatively with minimal intervention. The nose is intense and well-integrated, boasting aromas of lime flower and almonds, perfectly complimented by a sweet and sour zestiness on the palate." Product Features:  Sustainable;Vegetarian Product Allergens: Sulphites Label Winemaker: Peter-Allan Finlayson Vineyards: The grapes are sourced from seven different vineyards, planted on sandstone and shale soils, which are very tough and rocky. The altitude is an average of 200 metres above sea level and the vineyards are north-facing.Trellising is standard three-tier system. They are naturally low yielding vineyards, producing on average six tonnes per hectare. Vinification: The fruit was partially whole bunch pressed and the rest destemmed before crushing. One third was naturally fermented, and then combined where all the juices fermented and matured together in stainless steel. Malolactic fermentation was blocked to retain acidity. The wine was aged on its gross lees until bottling in July 2015. Tasting Notes: This wine shows welcoming green melon and kiwi on the nose, evolving into herbaceous notes of nettle and lemon grass, and ending with a white floral bouquet. These aromas follow through on the palate, which is mouth filling and rich with great balance. Food Suggestion: Seafood and summer salads with goats cheese. Closure: Stelvin  ABV:12.5%  Acidity [g/l]: 6.8