Nestled at the foot of the mountain after which it is named, Saronsberg wine estate is a contemporary addition to the rich heritage of Tulbagh valley an ancient wine region situated 120 kms north-east of Cape Town. It was formed late in 2002, with the aim of producing exceptional wines that express the character and quality of their unique origin. In October 2003, Dewaldt Heyns joined as winemaker ? just in time to witness the final construction of Saronsberg?s cutting edge cellar and avant-garde tasting room. Harvest of the maiden vintage began on 25 January 2004 at 06:01 (Dewaldt misjudged the one minute walk from his house to the cellar), when the farm?s first Sauvignon Blanc grapes were gathered.
The Rustler Pinotage 2011
Bruce Jack is one of the most passionate, innovative and contagiously enthusiastic winemakers you’ll ever meet. No wonder his wines are always so thrilling to taste. He was awarded South Africa’s ‘Winemaker of the Year’ in 2009 and his cellar, Flagstone, based in a former dynamite factory just 400 metres from the sea in Stellenbosch, scooped ‘Winery of the Year’ in 2008. Bruce believes in handcrafted wines that capture the essence of the vineyard, that don’t ‘stress to impress’ – which is why he loves Pinotage, a uniquely South African variety that delivers a full whack of fruity depth supported by gentle tannins. Velvety and weighty, this red requires hearty fare as accompaniment – roast beef or lamb, game sausages or moussaka perhaps.
Boschendal Chenin Blanc 2010, Coastal Region
From one of South Africa’s original wine farms comes this fruity, well-balanced and full bodied wine, distinguishable by its exotic mango and honey aromas. The palate has a core of tropical fruit flavours with hints of nuts and honey, the result of weekly lees stirring in a process called ‘battonage’, which allows for greater richness in the wine.
White River Fairtrade Chenin Blanc 2011
White River is from the Bergsig Estate, set amongst beautiful countryside in Worcester and dominated by a mountainous backdrop and the sweeping Breede River.The Lategan family have tended the land for over 150 years and young De Wet Lategan made his mark soon after taking the helm, becoming South Africa’s ‘Young Winemaker of the Year’.De Wet has always been keen to support the local community, and recently received Fairtrade accreditation in recognition of this. His sorbet fresh Chenin Blanc is very crisp, thanks to night harvesting and cool fermentation capturing the lively lemon, lime and green apple characters of the grapes at the peak of their ripeness. Serve chilled as an aperitif or enjoy with white meat dishes, and pork.
Babylon’s Peak Chenin Blanc 2011
Babylon’s Peak is a cellar on the slopes of the Paardeberg Mountain, between Malmesbury and Paarl, owned by the Basson family for four generations. In 2003 Stephan Basson renovated the old cellar and picked up where his grandfather had left off back in 1948. ‘Babylon’s Peak’, known locally as ‘Babylonstoren’, is a granite outcrop towering over the farm, where you find some of the highest vineyards in Swartland, at 700 metres above sea level. Long hours of sunshine give richly satisfying tropical fruit – the hallmark of fine Chenin – while the cooler mountain air ensures an elegance that sets this wine apart from wines grown on the plain.Most enjoyable on its own and mighty fine with grilled fish, roast chicken or vegetarian casseroles.
