Southern Right Sauvignon Blanc 2017

On the up and up.

The Sauvignon Blanc from Southern Right, the other Hemel-en-Aarde cellar that Anthony Hamilton Russell of Hamilton Russell Vineyards has a stake in, has always been quite restrained – neither too green nor too fruity and hence good, if slightly unremarkable, drinking.

Winemaker Emul Ross seems to have upped the ante with the 2017, however. Grapes drawn from all over Walker Bay and are picked at different ripeness levels, six yeast strains used in the fermentation before four months on the lees.

The nose is exotic and enticing with notes of naartjie, apple, green melon and pineapple while the palate is rich and creamy with tangy acidity lending balance, the finish nicely savoury. A smart effort especially considering a total production of 171 600 bottles. Price: R100 a bottle.

Editor’s rating: 91/100.