“Our youngest daughter, Lara, joined the family bringing her unique bag full of surprises and energy. This contrasted with a wonderfully “rustige” harvest. Nitida Pinotage won a Veritas double gold. Finally our Sauvignon was given 4 ½ stars in Platters. The 2003 Shiraz won the ABSA & JA Meyer Trophies trophies for Best Young Wine and Best Shiraz. We made our first Semillon for Woolworths Limited Release.”
Click for Pedigree:
2010 Michelangelo Silver, 4 stars Wine magazine; 2009 Michelangelo Double Gold (club select) and Gold (standard range) AND BEST PRODUCER ON SHOW, Bartho Eksteen Top 10 SA, Wine Magazine Top 10 (4½ stars); 2008 Michelangelo silver, Veritas gold; 2007 Michelangelo silver, Top 10 wine Bartho Eksteen International Sauvignon Blanc Celebration, Wine Magazine Top 10, Veritas gold; 2005 Michelangelo gold; 2004 Bartho Eksteen - joint 3rd, Veritas silver(’04) (gold ‘05), Platter 4½ stars; 2003 SAA 1st class listing, Fairbairn silver, Veritas gold; 2002 Veritas double gold, Club 500 cultivar winner, International Wine Challenge - silver; 2001 SAA listing; International wine challenge - bronze, best in Wine mag. cultivar tasting (only 4 star wine), Winning wine Bartho Eksteen International; 2000 SAA 1st class listing, Veritas silver medal; 1999 Veritas gold medal, Bartho Eksteen International shootout 6th, Wine magazine - top 7 wines; 1998 Veritas silver medal; 1997 Michelangelo International - silver medal, Veritas silver medal; SAA Long-haul listing; 1996 Veritas silver medal; 1995 Veritas double gold medal.
As expected, this wine is full of Nitida personality - very fresh character with steely backbone, generous fruit and obvious aging potential. Palate and nose show copious melons, peaches, lemongrass and lemon-citrus, gooseberries and lichi and the signature earthy tones round out the wine as it develops.
Winemaker Comments
Picked across a variety of ripenesses (though about 10 days later than ë03.) from a mix of Durbanville vineyards. We are chuffed at a slightly lower alcohol of 12.5%. Batches were kept separate until blending and as with last year every one, without exception, was superior. We did try some warm fermentation with one batch which has added another character to the mix. 5% semillon gives the wine lovely aging potential and a stunning full mouthfeel. Already a very in balance wine!!!!her enhanced tropical characters
