Black Oystercatcher Secrets of Sauvignon Collection

Get stoned.

How does the soil type that a vine is grown on influence the final wine? The Elim property that produces the grapes for the Black Oystercatcher range of wines comprises three basic soil types, namely ferricrete, quartzite and shale and in 2017, owner/winemaker Dirk Human picked Sauvignon Blanc grapes off each of the three soils in order to make three separate wines, vinification otherwise kept constant. The outcome is three startlingly different wines, these now available in a three-pack costing R2000. Tasting notes and ratings as follows:

Black Oystercatcher Broken Shale Sauvignon Blanc 2017
A shy nose with hints of sea breeze and fynbos.  The palate is lean to the point of severe, the finish very dry.

Editor’s rating: 90/100.

Black Oystercatcher Iron Ferricrete Sauvignon Blanc 2017
Citrus, white peach and blackcurrant on the nose. Rich and full on the palate with coated acidity and good length. Layers of flavour.

Editor’s rating: 92/100.

Black Oystercatcher Quartzite Sauvignon Blanc 2017
The nose shows white peach and fennel with some elderflower in the background. A well balanced palate with good fruit concentration and a pithy finish.

Editor’s rating: 92/100.

Black Oystercatcher Sauvignon Blanc 2018
The standard release sees grapes from all three soil types in combination. The currently available 2018 shows lime, green apple, blackcurrant and a hint of fresh herbs while the palate shows good fruit concentration and punchy acidity before a pithy finish. Price: R105 a bottle.

Editor’s rating: 91/100.