Say hello to the Diemersdal Sauvignon Blanc 2017

Our 2017 Sauvignon Blanc has hit the market, and is already enjoying enthusiastic reception. The Diemersdal Sauvignon Blanc 2017 is, according to cellar master and proprietor Thys Louw, a classic varietal expression of Durbanville cool-climate purity from an exceptional vintage.

“The current two-year drought experienced in the Cape winelands is at the top of everyone’s mind,” says Louw. “And when all your vineyards are of the dryland type – as in the case of Diemersdal – depending solely on nature for irrigation, heat and dry conditions takes on a totally new meaning.”

Despite these conditions, Diemersdal experienced an extremely healthy 2017 vintage in terms of yields and fruit quality. “The 25mm of rain we had around Christmas last year came at just the right time, nourishing the vines and setting them on the path to producing grapes of excellent quality, which are going to lead to some truly fine wines.”

The Diemersdal Sauvignon Blanc 2017 is a case in point. A vibrant, classically styled Sauvignon Blanc, the nose is complex yet fresh. On the palate the wine shows an array of tropical fruit, ripe fig and gooseberry aromas underscored by a crisp minerality leading to a gentle, fruity finish.

“When you taste a new-vintage Sauvignon Blanc like this, you know why this variety is the favourite white wine among South African consumers,” says Louw. “Clean and fresh, very drinkable with just enough sophistication on the palate to convince wine-lovers that their drink of choice is the right one.”

The grapes were night harvested at optimum ripeness, with the vineyard blocks – five different clones in total – vinified separately. The grapes were crushed and destemmed reductively. Skin contact of 12-24 hours was given after which the juice was given time to settle for six to 12 hours. The juice was racked and inoculated with selected yeasts, and no additional acid was added. Three weeks’ alcoholic fermentation occurred in a temperature controlled environment of 12-14ºC.

“The quality of the 2017 Sauvignon Blanc vintage is underscored by this wine being selected as one of the five star wines from around the world for the Vinitaly booklet, a rare honour for such as young wine and hopefully an indication of things to come,” says Louw.

Diemersdal Sauvignon Blanc is the first wine in the estate’s diverse range of Sauvignon Blanc wines which includes Diemersdal Reserve, Eight Rows, MM Louw and the Wild Horseshoe.