Diemersdal The Journal Sauvignon Blanc 2020

The Journal Sauvignon Blanc sits at the top of the range from Durbanville property Diemersdal and is clearly designed to make a statement. If the maiden 2019 (90 points in last year’s Prescient Sauvignon Blanc Report) was hardcore with fynbos, citrus, peach, blackcurrant, vanilla, and some leesy character on the nose, the palate being extraordinarily rich and intensely flavored, the 2020 seems to have more composure.

Grapes from a single vineyard with vines 28 to 38 years old, the wine was fermented and matured in new and second-fill barrels for 11 months. The nose shows lime, naartjie, peach and yellow apple with dried herbs in the background while the palate is broad with plenty of detail and nicely integrated acidity, the finish gently savoury. It remains an ambitious wine but comes across as authoritative rather than overblown. Price: R225 a bottle.

CE’s rating: 94/100.

Check out our South African wine ratings database.

Attention: Reviews like this take time and effort to create. We need your support to make our work possible. To make a financial contribution, click here. Invoice available upon request – contact info@winemag.co.za