ac Coronata 2007
“A hectic vineyard year - we uprooted old red vineyards with virus infection and replaced with Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon, a hurry up and wait harvest caused by high temperatures alternating with downpours and dry-outs then into hurried picking again, lots of tank juggling, all the reds ripened at the same time and before we knew it – the harvest was over. Our first Coronata white blend was released, we won a Michelangelo double gold for Pinotage 2005 plus it won “Best Durbanville Red” at the Terroir competition also winning best Semillon in South Africa. Sauvignon blanc went to screw cap. Cassia went live. We finished the year with a wonderful Christmas present when Sébastien was born to Jacus and Elrina.”
Tasting Notes
A stunning example of a balanced blended white wine, a first impression of fresh honeysuckle and pithy citrus gives way to a lovely creamy mouthfeel full of fresh cut asparagus with a touch of toasty spice.
Winemaker Comments
50% semillon from 100% new French oak (fermented and aged for 8 weeks) with 50% tank fermented sauvignon blanc. Grapes were from specially earmarked blocks. This is the second year that we have mixed these 2 cultivars but this year we put the completed blend into barrel again for 6 months. This wine has been intentionally designed to evolve with both cultivars, and behaves a bit like a child - showing different aspects of its character at different times - it remains forever interesting. As it ages , the tight sauvignon blanc acids will remain firm but grow gentler while that dash of greenpepper freshness will always speak of its Nitida origins, while the semillon character deepens into a warm honey and becomes more dominant on the palate. Nitida Coronata is the culmination of many years of working with and observing the characteristics of sauvignon blanc and semillon from our area. Grape blocks were specially chosen in the vineyard for their cultivar character and kept separate throughout the process.
