VINEYARDS
Circumstance Sauvignon blanc is produced from windswept south west facing, low yielding slopes of Schapenberg. Strong winds churn up the vineyards with regularity. This allows for low production and intense flavors. The vineyards are 5 kilometres from the sea, and are planted at a height of between 270 and 300 metres above sea level. The soils are of sandstone origin with medium-sized stones, helping with drainage, while retaining the ability to hold moisture. The vineyards are an average age of 11 years. Production was approximately 4 t/ha.
THE 2008/09 GROWING SEASON
The Winelands stayed in the grip of winter well into September of 2008. Very good rains during the winter ensured that soil retained enough moisture to sustain the vines through the long growing season. Together with cool weather during spring, it caused vineyards to ripen the grapes later than normal. Cultivars that ripen early to mid season were 2 to 3 weeks later than normal. The long, cool growing season ensured that grapes had a high natural acidity and lots of flavour. The result was a short and very intense harvest, which lasted for about 5 weeks.
WINEMAKING
The winemaking philosophy is the same for all our premium white wines from Waterkloof. We follow a traditional, minimalist approach which means that we interfere as little as possible with the winemaking process. It allows the flavours prevalent in that specific vineyard to be expressed. To achieve this goal, all grapes are whole-bunch pressed, ensuring that we extract the juice in the gentlest way possible. The juice is then allowed to settle for 24 hours. Yeast occurring on the grapes is allowed to ferment the juice. No yeasts are added. Fermentation takes place at temperatures of 18 to 20ºC.
TASTING NOTES
The 2009 vintage produced a wine with a steely, mineral core and notes of fynbos and greengage.
ANALYSIS
Alc: 13.5%
RS: 4.8g/l
TA: 8.9g/l
pH: 3.07
VA: 0.48
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