Technical Specifications
Alcohol 13.45%
Residual Sugar 1.9 g/L
pH 3.29
Total Acidity 6.52 g/L
Calories (estimated) 115 kcal / glass
150ml glass115 kcal
750ml bottle575 kcal
Grape Varieties Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Semillon
Sauvignon Blanc58%
Chardonnay26%
Semillon16%
Region Hemel-en-Aarde Valley
Soil Table mountain sandstone derived soil
Vineyard Yield 18.27 hL/ha
Fermentation Vessels Terracotta Amphora, Nomblot Egg, Ceramic Egg, Neutral Oak Barrel
Natural Yeast Yes
Indigenous Yeast Yes
Total Aging 5 months
Production Details This stellar vintage was later and cooler than usual. Based on our measure of temperature, the average of the maximum temperatures for the 4 hottest months (crucial to harvest) Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, 2021 came in at 24.3 Centigrade. This compares to 24.8 Centigrade for a long-term average of the equivalent period in Burgundy. In the last 25 years, only 2001, 2004 and 2008 have been cooler. Winter was wetter than usual with 140mm more rain than average, filling dams and building the water table beautifully. Chill units started accumulating later than usual and a cool Spring and later budding accounted for the later harvest. A warm January was a welcome help towards healthy ripening. Any disease pressure from rain showers during ripening was effectively controlled. Yields, as always for us, were low. The Pinot noir harvest finished 10 days later than 2020, and the Chardonnay harvest finished 8 days later. Fruit quality and acidity were exceptional for both. The 2021 wines stand out for their complex, layered elegance, purity and mineral liveliness.
Tasting Notes
Nose: bright, hard minerality, salinity, vibrant natural acidity
Palate: full, gentle viscosity
▸ Sources (1)
Producer Information
Website
Address
R320 Hemel-en-Aarde Valley, Hermanus, 7200, South Africa
Phone
+27 28 312 3595
Owner
Anthony Hamilton Russell
Cellarmaster
Emul Ross, Johan Montgomery