Neethlingshof Six Flowers 2019
Type: White
Country: South Africa
Region: Stellenbosch
Grape Variety: Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier, Gewurztraminer, Riesling
Climate: The locality of Neethlingshof enables cool sea breezes from both the Indian and Atlantic oceans to penetrate the vineyards and cool down the grapes during hot summer days
Terroir: Planted in 2008, the Chenin Blanc vineyard block comprises 3,46 ha. The vines grow in Tukulu and Oakleaf soils, 100 m above sea level on south-westerly and north-easterly facing slopes. Planted in 1999, the Chardonnay vines are established in Tukulu soils, 105 m above sea level on southerly slopes. The south-facing, 3,97ha Sauvignon Blanc vineyard was established in 1997, with vines grafted onto Richter 110 rootstock. This vineyard is situated between 120 m and 180 m above sea level. The Viognier vineyard was planted in 2006 and grows in shale soils. The trellised Gewürztraminer vines, 26 years old at the time of picking and grafted onto Richter 99 rootstocks, are established in deep red Tukulu soils on the southern slopes facing False Bay. The Weisser Riesling grapes came for the estate’s Weisser on The Hill vineyard.
Winemaking: The wine starts fermentation in the tank at a very cold temperature of 11 to 12 degrees. After fermentation had started, the wine was pumped to first-filled French oak barrels to age on its fermentation lease. Each cultivar was held separately. Only once the winemaker confirmed the quality and decided on the blend percentage, was the wine blended and bottled
Color: Brilliant clear hue with a tinge of olive green
Nose: A compelling bouquet of jasmine and elderflower fused with grapefruit, green apple and sweet oak
Palate: Elegantly refined and intricate flavours of litchi, grapefruit, kiwi, asparagus and green fig forming a full and complex, multi layered mouth feel with sweet oaky mid-palate leading to a beautiful long finish
About the Winery:
In the heart of the Cape wine region, you will find Neethlingshof Estate, one of the oldest wine estates in South Africa. Wines have been produced here since 1692. Originally founded by a German immigrant named Willem Barend Lubbe, it now produces high-quality wines from the Western Cape. Since 2003, they have also been pursuing an active biodiversity strategy to limit the monoculture of wine.
The estate grows many different grape varieties, including well-known ones such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Chardonnay or Chenin Blanc, but also the Pinotage, Gewürztraminer or Riesling typical of South Africa.
With their south and southwest exposure, the plants soak up plenty of sun during the day, while being cooled by cold sea air at night. The growth process is thus rather slow, which gives the grapes a ripe aroma.
