Almenkerk Wine Estate - Sauvignon Blanc

Almenkerk Wine Estate - Sauvignon Blanc 2015 (90 TSW)
You know the Elgin wine region in South Africa?

Although the region has alot of potential for great wines the valley’s most important crop are apples. These apples are at the moment more profitable than farming grapes. So in the last years quite a few vineyards are replanted with apples. There are just 800 hectares of vineyards, down from a high a few years ago of 1000, with vines disappearing every year.

At the moment there are about 28 produces making wines in this region and only 9 have their own cellar. So a lot of grapes leave the valley.

Elgin, situated  in the Cape South Coast region is South Africa's coolest wine region, and temperatures here rarely venture over 30 C. The vines in this region love these conditions because they can carry on the work of steadily ripening the grapes.

The valley is surrounded on all four sides by mountains. There are only four ways into the valley, and all of these are passes. this is the only wine region in South Africa that is surrounded like this by mountains. Within the valley there are lots of different sorts of exposure with lots of small hills and microclimates.

Almenkerk moved to South Africa from Belgium in 2002 and bought a apple farm in the Elgin region. Half of the 32 hectares they transformed into vineyard. Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay are the hot shots, supported by Syrah, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. There's also bits of other grapes, including Malbec, Viognier and Petit Verdot.

This Sauvignon Blanc is a very nice one. Although I am not the biggest fan of this variety this one made me doubt.

In the glass a bright citrus yellow color with green hue.
On the medium+ nose aromas of quince, passionfruit and citrus with hints of green pepper and fresh cut grass.
On the palate dry, medium bodied with medium acidity and nice round, soft mouthfeel. Flavours of apple, pear, tropical fruit and flint. Nice long light sweet finish.