Sauvignon Blanc taste-off

By , 4 January 2018

Sauvignon Blanc taste-off

Fun in the sun.

Sauvignon Blanc is South Africa’s fifth most planted variety, area under vineyard having increased from 8 406ha in 2006 to 9 246ha in 2016. It remains extremely popular and just about every producer makes a competent version of it although it could be argued that the category is now so uniform as to be monotonous. There is surely the opportunity for a winemaker or two to embrace the variety with a view to taking it to the next level. Tasting notes and ratings for some notable current releases as follows:

Constantia Glen Sauvignon Blanc 2017
Price: R165
Includes 2% Semillon. Matured for five months on the lees. Citrus blossom, fynbos and some gravel-road dustiness plus lime and white peach on the nose. The palate is pleasantly lean and fresh, the finish long and pithy. Well balanced and nicely understated.

Editor’s rating: 91/100.

Diemersdal Eight Rows Sauvignon Blanc 2017
Price: R135
W.O. Cape Town. Matured for five months on the lees. Subtle notes of green pepper, cucumber and lime on the nose. Rich and broad on the palate with well integrated acidity and gently savoury finish.

Editor’s rating: 90/100.

Oak Valley Fountain of Youth Sauvignon Blanc 2017
Price: R85
Gun smoke, fennel, fynbos and lime on the nose. Concentrated fruit and nicely coasted acidity before a savoury finish – has a severity about it which not everybody will like.

Editor’s rating: 90/100.

Paul Cluver Sauvignon Blanc 2017
Price: R90
Includes 12% wooded Semillon. Matured for five months on the lees. The nose shows some reduction before notes of naartjie, white peach and a hint of black currant. Rich with nicely coated acidity – some RS lending  plumpness.

Editor’s rating: 90/100.

 

Comments

0 comment(s)

Please read our Comments Policy here.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Like our content?

Show your support.


Subscribe