SAWIBC01
£19.50
"I should have to admit approaching our meeting with Arendsig with a degree of scepticism as Robertson still struggles to command the respect afforded to Stellenbosch and Hermanus but my doubts proved to be totally unfounded as these were some of the most exciting wines that we tasted during our visit. Lourens Van Der Westhuizen's winery may lack the grandeur and, let's be honest, size of some of his peers to the west but this is a property that just screams ‘authenticity’. We had been fortunate to visit some stunningly beautiful wineries over the previous 10 days, many with stylish restaurants and showpiece cellars but this is the reality of winemaking for so many – battling against shortage of space and ferments that won't do as they're told, to create wines of unbelievable class.
All the wines are very site specific with the block no. stated on the label together with the (frequently tiny) number of bottles produced. Neutral vessels are used for maturation such that the character of the vineyard is allowed to shine through and only natural yeasts are used for the fermentation. Elegance and balance are the keywords here, together with length; these are wines that just beg to be drunk.
23 year old vineyard managed by Lourens. Really appealing, nutty style. Interesting and beautifully textured. Great length." - Chris Connolly
£11.99
Freshly picked and fermented Frappato grapes are blended with ultra-ripe Nero d'Avola that have dried on the vine to provide a delightful "Appassimento" style red - rich, savoury and a real crowd-pleaser.
£10.75
£13.19
Deep ruby red. A rich, expressive bouquet with notes of red-berried fruit, blackberry and blackcurrant with highlights of oak. The palate is rounded, ample and flavourful, displaying remarkable freshness. The harmonious balance of the tannins, which imparts fine aromatic length with a predominantly fruity back-of-palate, is to be savoured. One of the great achievements of the 2017 vintage, a very fine wine that stands out by virtue of its freshness and vibrancy.
£13.60
One of my favourite white discoveries of last year; crisp, fresh and elegant with classic varietal character and a mouthwatering finish. - Chris Connolly