Altima Sauvignon Blanc

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Three different parcels were picked at intervals, each contributing a range of flavours from grassy, green peppers to passion fruit, melon and gooseberries. Grapes were hand-picked into small lug-boxes in the early morning and transported to the cellar in refrigerated trucks. All the fruit was de-stemmed and crushed before an overnight skin contact period allowed for the maximum extraction of flavour. Each parcel’s free-run juice was settled and fermented separately in stainless steel tanks with selected yeast strains.

Altima is situated in Elandskloof, an isolated valley north of Villiersdorp which is 5km wide and is surrounded by a steep mountain range that rises 1km from the valley floor. The steep topography causes the valley to receive less direct sunlight due to the overshadowing mountains. This, together with the elevation of 600 to 850m, results in a very cool climate for the valley. This unique terroir produces wines with a high natural acidity and upfront aromas. Grapes are harvested much later than those other sites in the Western Cape, with harvest usually starting early in March. The vineyards produce an intense Sauvignon blanc with a fresh expression of passion fruit, gooseberry, citrus and freshly-cut grass.

The wine spent 6 months on the lees before being bottled in October.