What would summer be without a glass of a crisp, cool Sauvignon Blanc? It’s the ideal wine for kicking back and enjoying in the sunshine and its fresh acidic bite is perfect with summer fishy and salad dishes. Here are a few that have come my way recently.
Du Preez Sauvignon Blanc 2014 R26 cellar door
This was our best-selling wine every single year when we used to have a restaurant and I was a bit sad to realise that since we sold it in 2009, I haven’t actually had it since. My bad, because when I finally got to pop into the farm a couple of weeks ago and re-tried it, I realised what an outstanding value-for-money quaffer this is. You could pay twice as much and get something half as good so hie ye hence to Rawsonville and stock up!!
Slowine Sauvignon Blanc 2014 R45 cellar door
Villiersdorp Cellar is undergoing a bit of a facelift at the moment, releasing new labels on its own account, and putting renewed marketing effort behind this range of great value wines, made in conjunction with a couple of laidback Bot Rivier partners. This Sauvvie is a gentle, easy-drinking sipper with plenty of green grassy notes balanced by tropical fruit and lively acidity.
Steenberg Sparkling Sauvignon Blanc 2014 R99 cellar door
In Yorkshire, we’d call this wine a bit of “nowt nor summat” – it’s not an MCC (which is good because too much yeastiness would overwhelm the delicate aromatics) but it’s made in the same way and it’s not a carbonated el cheapo either. It’s been 3 months on the lees which is just enough and the reason they’ve done this rather than just Soda-streamed it is for practicalities – they don’t have a pressurised tank, but they do have plenty of willing hands to riddle and disgorge. Whatever – this is definitely not a ‘nowt’ wine at all, rather a delicious burst of Sauvignon summer fun in a glass!
Fleur du Cap Sauvignon Blanc 2014 R100 cellar door
New smart packaging is ostensibly the reason for sending me this bottle but actually, the wine itself would have been enough. In my opinion, the 2014 vintage could be a little thin in places so it’s good to see big brands making a plan and using their resources to blend the best fruit from different areas to great effect. This uses grapes from both Darling and Elgin and is a lip-smacking, tingly and fresh wine with lots of green figs and plenty of lingering zesty notes.
Shannon Sanctuary Peak Sauvignon Blanc 2014 R105 cellar door
Ah – so much loveliness in this wine! It’s named for the mountain range behind the vineyard, as are all the other wines from this Elgin winery where the long, slow ripening period makes for really intense flavours. Add in 11% barrel-fermented Semillon and you have a very serious Sauvvie with plenty of citrus fruit, green figs, grassy herbaceousness and elegant acidity all at an incredibly good price. Drink it now if you have to but if you can hang onto it until after Christmas at least, I think you’re going to be made very, very happy indeed.
La Motte Pierneef Sauvignon Blanc 2014 R115 cellar door
It’s always a pleasure getting a delivery from La Motte – surely one of the most consistent-across-the-board producers around? This is the top Sauvvie and has been re-packaged to showcase one of 6 JH Pierneef artworks which should make you keen to collect the whole set! And why not, when the wine is utterly delicious? – crisp and fresh with well-balanced acidity and a lingering citrus finish.
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