Shannon VineyardsElgin Sauvignon Blanc 2018 (R79.83 per bottle, 6 bottles)
R479
About
Shannon Vineyards is situated in the Elgin Valley within the Kogelberg Biosphere with mountains on our western boundary and the Peninsula Dam forming the eastern boundary. The Elgin Valley which has long been regarded as the apple and pear centre of South Africa now has some of the country's most highly regarded winemakers establishing vineyards in the area, testament to its obvious winemaking potential.
Styling
The focus of this wine is based on a vineyard component arising from low yielding Table Mountain Sandstone soils. Using neutral yeasts, Shannon Sauvignon Blanc expresses very distinctive and concentrated primary fruit aromas of asparagus, citrus, and some capsicum in a minerally and flinty style. The clay/shale soils, however, provide the Sauvignon with flavours on the riper side of the fruit spectrum and with more structure for a broader palate. The blending in of 10% naturally fermented Sauvignon Blanc, matured on the lees, provides a fuller mouthfeel and adds to the complexity of the wine. This wine was vinified in a style that enhances the ageing potential of Sauvignon Blanc.
Technical analysis
The grapes are chilled to 3ºC. The bunches are sorted on a conveyor, destemmed and crushed. All transfers of grape must and juice in these early stages are attained using gravity. Selected parcels of the grapes undergo a period of skin contact, at 8ºC to encapture favourable skin flavours. After a gentle pressing, the juice left to settle for a period of 72 hours at 2ºC. Fermentation in stainless steel tanks continues at 12ºC until the wine is dry. The 10% blended Sauvignon Blanc is fermented on natural yeasts and matured for 3 months in old French oak and bâtonnage (lees stirring) practised fortnightly
- Wine Analyses
- Alcohol: 12.77 %
- Acidity; 6.7 g/l
- pH: 3.20
- Residual sugar: 2.4 g/l
Vineyard Selection:
- Wooded: 10%
- # 16 SB 161:17%
- # 16 SB 11:28%
- # 17 SB 159: 45%
Writer's block
Ours is about 3 feet by 3 feet, and on our left is the account's block. The marketing block is down the hall.
We're joking. Obviously.
Ours is at least 5 by 5, and on Wednesdays we're allowed to write in coffee shops to maintain the illusion that we're "successful" and "writerly".
Coming up with a write up for the simple sake of a write up does, however, become difficult when we're staring complete lack of creativity right in the face. But apparently asking management to cancel all the deals for the day isn't a viable fix.
As they so delicately put it, it'd be like a comedian having the option to suddenly cancel a show if they're not feeling up to it. Not on our watch, they said. You'll do a write up whether you like it or not, they said. And be funny, they said.
So here we are, doing a write up and being funny.