Pieter Ferreira Blanc de Blancs 2020

Pieter and Ann Ferreira of Pieter Ferreira Cap Classique.

What is the optimal time on lees for top-end Cap Classique? Whereas the 2018 and 2019 vintages of the Pieter Ferreira Blanc de Blancs were matured for 72 months before disgorgement, the 2020 (R535 a bottle) spent 55 months on the lees – bottled on 17 June 2020 and taken off the sediment on 17 January 2025. The slightly shorter elevage has yielded a wine of exceptional energy without any loss of complexity.

Sourced 30% from Cape Agulhas, 30% from Darling, 22% from Robertson and 18% from Napier, a small portion was fermented in oak. The nose shows a touch of flinty reduction before pear, peach, apple and citrus, with a subtle yeasty undertone. The palate is impeccably pure and driven, finishing dry and pithy. Always among the country’s most assured bottle-fermented sparkling wines, this vintage has even more clarity of fruit and finesse of the structure. Alc: 11.72%.

CE’s rating: 96/100.

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