Pale straw in colour with a clean nose displaying aromas of crisp pineapple, fresh papaya, Asian pears and an underlying creamy richness from extended lees contact. This is a complex and multidimensional wine that will develop in both the glass and the bottle with time.
The subtle creaminess makes the Koetshuis the perfect companion to vichyssoise, deep fried polenta and parmesan fries, West Coast crayfish, or a goat’s cheese and pear salad.
A surprising, yet contradictory, growing season coming off the back of the severe heat and drought of 2017, the 2018 vintage experienced consistently hot and dry weather but no significant heat waves. The cold to moderate nights together with the much-needed light rain in early December resulted in disease-free grapes with excellent flavour concentration and acidity, delivering an approximate 15% increase in crop. The wine will express the heat of the year, displaying more tropical fruit if compared to the 2017 vintage.
With Lutzville and Darling batches being vinified individually for blending at a later stage, the handpicked grapes were crushed and allowed extended skin contact for approximately 6 hours before the juice was racked and settled for inoculation and fermentation in stainless steel tanks. Approximately 18% of the juice was inoculated and fermented in a combination of new and 2nd fill French Oak barrels, where it was kept on the fine lees for 100 days. Finally, the portions were blended for flavour, depth and complexity before being protein stabilised, cold stabilised and bottled.
2017
- China Wine & Spirits Awards 2017 Gold
- FNB Sauvignon Blanc Top 10 2018
- Michelangelo International Wine Awards 2017 Gold
- Michelangelo International Wine Awards 2018 Double Gold
- Old Mutual Trophy Wine Show 2018 Gold
- South African Wine Index 2018 Platinum
- Tim Atkin SA Report 2017 91 Points
- Veritas Awards 2018 Gold
- Vitis Vinifera Awards 2017 Double Gold
2016
- Mundus Vini Germany 2017 Gold
2015
- Michelangelo International Wine Awards 2015 Gold
- Sakura Japan Women's Wine Awards 2016 Double Gold
2014
- Platter’s 4½ stars
- Vitis Vinifera Awards Double Gold
2013
- Michelangelo International Wine Awards 2018 Double Gold
- Platter's 4½ Stars
- Vitis Vinifera Awards 2013 Trophy
- Veritas Double Gold
2011
- Platter’s 4½ stars
2010
- Platter's 4½ stars
- Veritas Double Gold