Saurwein new releases
By Christian Eedes, 28 August 2023
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Ideal winter conditions laid the foundation for an exceptional 2022 season in the Cape South Coast, Jessica Saurwein describing the vintage as “poetry”. Tasting notes and ratings for the new releases as follows:
Saurwein Om Pinot Noir 2022
Grapes from Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge. 10% whole-bunch fermentation before maturation lasting 10 months in 228-litre barrels, 25% new. Top notes of rose and herbs before cranberry, red cherry and white pepper. The palate is clean and fresh with fine tannins – pure and direct, this shows admirable refinement. Alc: 13.5%.
CE’s rating: 93/100.
Saurwein Nom Pinot Noir 2022
Grapes from Elandskloof. Winemaking as above. Aromatics of red and black cherry, musk, spice and earth. The palate is rich and broad to the point of plush. Acidity is moderate, the tannins fine, the finish gently savoury. Alc: 14%.
CE’s rating: 91/100.
Also now available:
Saurwein Chi Riesling 2023
Grapes from two sites in Elgin. Both nose and palate are currently entirely callow – pear and blossom with perhaps a touch of flinty reduction and green apple while the palate is overtly sweet. Lots of plump fruit, the acidity currently completely camouflaged. A residual sugar of 14.2g/l and total acidity of 7.9g/l gives rise to the thought that this wine will only show at its best in years to come but it appears unresolved for now.
CE’s rating: 89/100.
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Kwispedoor | 28 August 2023
I had this Chi on Saturday. Admittedly in a less than perfect “walkabout tasting” format situation, but the acidity really brightened up the wine for me.
I know the current fashion in SA is overwhelmingly slanted towards dry Rieslings, but Rieslings with some sugar would arguably make more sense here, given our relative warmer climate (compared to almost anywhere in Germany). In the late eighties and early nineties, Groot Constantia probably made SA’s best Riesling, easily capable of maturing with benefit for 10+ years. It was usually pitched at around this same RS level.
Despite the Chi being delicious to me on Saturday, perhaps this wine might show some ups and downs in its infancy and ultimately needs time to consistently show its best side?
Christian Eedes | 29 August 2023
Hi Kwispedoor, I’m quite sure that Chi 2023 is 12 months off showing anything like its true potential but market forces and all that. When I tasted the 2013, Saurwein also poured the 2018 which I thought was looking lean, energetic and rather fine. An alcohol of 12%, a residual sugar of 7.8g/l and a total acidity of 7.2g/l…
Kwispedoor | 29 August 2023
If one looks at Vin de Constance 2019, it has a pH of 3.71 (vs. 3.1 for the Chi) and a TA of 6.1g/l (vs. 7.9 for the Chi – or 8.2, according to Ex Animo’s website). So, VdC has a much weaker and lower acidity than the Chi, but has 166 g/l of RS to be balanced out. I know these wines find balance on different planes, but I’m really excited to see what the Chi will offer down the line. For me, it promises proper development potential over many years and also unique culinary matching possibilities.