Ormonde Private Cellar announces new vintage and maiden releases

Friday, 24 May, 2013

Ormonde Private Cellar

Ormonde Private Cellar in Darling announces new vintage and maiden releases from their trio-collection’s middle-tier range, Ondine.

This distinctive, well-balanced range currently comprises the following new-vintage varietal wines: Sauvignon Blanc (2011), Chenin Blanc (2010), Chardonnay (2011), Semillon (2010), Cabernet Franc (2009) and two maiden releases: Pinot Noir 2010 and Malbec 2010. The wines in this innovative niche cultivar range are held back before release to allow time for the optimal development of the wines in order for them to reveal their true character, to start showing at their best.

THE ONDINE RANGE

Cellarmaster, Michiel du Toit, comments: “The Ondine range is a good reflection of our meticulous viticultural and vinicultural practices, careful selection of fruit as well as innovative winemaking. Special attention is paid to trellising and canopy management. There is an emphasis on preserving as much as possible of the primary varietal fruit and length of flavour, which our cool coastal climate bestows on each grape variety. I am passionate about venturing into new cultivars and trying new winemaking techniques.”

The name ‘Ondine’

The Ondine range of wines, which reveal an intriguing synergy of poise and vibrancy, was named after the ballet Ondine, created by choreographer Sir Frederick Ashton in 1958, specifically for Margot Fonteyn, Prima Ballerina at The Royal Ballet. Ondine depicted the tale of the inevitably doomed love affair between a water-nymph, Ondine, and a mortal, Palemon, with the iconic Fonteyn’s graceful style and elegant gestures seamlessly reflecting the fluidity and enchantment of Ondine’s celestial under-water existence. The fountain gracing the front label of the Ondine range mirrors the opening scene in which the breathtakingly beautiful Ondine emerges from a fountain and encounters Palemon.

Ondine Sauvignon Blanc 2011

The Ondine Sauvignon Blanc (2011) offers asparagus, ripe fig and gooseberry on the nose. Delicate in style, the wine boasts both balance and complexity. This wine is characterised by undertones of fig and green pepper, minerality, crisp acidity and a voluptuous finish. The 2010 Ondine Sauvignon Blanc was a recipient of a Gold medal at the 2012 Veritas Awards.

The Ondine Sauvignon Blanc 2011 is available from the estate @ R60 per bottle.

Ondine Chenin Blanc 2010

This aromatic Chenin Blanc, with aromas of guava, white peach and ripe apple, offers an invigorating crisp acidity, a fruit-filled palate and a lingering finish.

The Ondine Chenin Blanc 2010 is available from the estate @ R55 per bottle.

Ondine Chardonnay 2011

With a bouquet of white peach, lemon zest, sweet vanilla, toasty oak, creamy citrus and a crisp acidity, this partially wooded Chardonnay harmoniously combines the fruity abundance typified in unwooded wines with the characteristics of a barrel-matured Chardonnay.

The Ondine Chardonnay 2011 is available from the estate @R60 per bottle.

Ondine Semillon 2010

Often the blending partner in white blends, the excellent quality of the grapes derived from the estate’s unique terroir incited the team to bottle this wine as a single varietal. On the nose, the Ondine Semillon is herbaceous and grassy with nuances of green apple, with citrusy flavours and crisp acidity on the palate. The finish is elegant and well-balanced. The Ondine Semillon 2010 was the recipient of the Semillon Trophy at the 2012 Old Mutual Trophy Wine Show and a Gold medal at the 2012 Veritas Awards.

The Ondine Semillon 2010 is available from the estate @ R60 per bottle.

Ondine Cabernet Franc 2009

Cabernet franc is often an integral part of great blends, introducing distinct aromas and elegance to the mélange, however the exceptional quality of the estate’s cabernet franc grapes served as the inspiration to bottle a single varietal wine.

The Ondine Cabernet Franc is deep crimson red in colour and is characterised by a bouquet of berries, prunes and cherries accompanied by tobacco nuances and a subtle toastiness. With soft, velvety tannins complemented by herbaceous undertones, spiciness and opulent dark berry fruit, this wine offers a well-balanced finish. It is barrel aged in medium-toast French oak: 50% new with the balance 1st and 2nd fill.

The Ondine Cabernet Franc 2009 is available from the estate @ R67 per bottle.

Ondine Malbec 2010

A new addition to the Ondine range, the maiden vintage unwooded Ondine Malbec 2010 is dark red in colour and boasts vibrant raspberry aromas with intense concentrated fruitiness on the palate. The finish exhibits firm tannins and a balanced palate.

The Ondine Malbec 2010 is available from the estate @ R67 per bottle.

Ondine Pinot Noir 2010

The maiden vintage ruby-red unwooded Ondine Pinot Noir 2010 joins the elegant Ondine range, complementing the collection with its unique medium-bodied fruit-forward style. Aromas of cherries and berries are followed by succulent fruity flavours on the palate with hints of earthiness. The finish exhibits firm tannins and balance.

The Ondine Pinot Noir 2010 is available from the estate @ R67 per bottle.

Purchase of Ondine wines

Ormonde Private Cellar’s niche cultivar Ondine range of wines - all the wines are sealed with cork closures - is only available from the estate in Darling. For purchases please contact the cellar: Tel: 022 492 3540 • E-Mail: info@ormonde.co.za. Deliveries in South Africa cost R50 per case of 6 wines.

HISTORY

The Basson family’s roots are deeply entrenched in Darling, with their ancestors dating back to the arrival of the French Huguenots in the 17th century. After returning to Darling in 1970, Nico Basson, current owner Theo’s father, bought the farm Alexanderfontein and began a tremendously successful career in dairy farming. Therafter, with encouragement from his Stellenbosch friends, Oom Nico planted vines in Darling, supplying grapes to Stellenbosch Farmers’ Winery and various other cellars in the Boland. His sauvignon blanc, in particular, soon became widely acclaimed and highly sought after. So successful was this enterprise that Nico later purchased the Ormonde farm.

Theo Basson asserts that his father was “a pioneer and visionary who laid the foundation for Darling having become the prolific wine-producing region it is today”. Today, Theo is the proprietor of two farms and manages the vineyards of two additional farms, as the next generation of Bassons frolic in the vineyards, learning the craft from a young age.

THE VINEYARDS AND THE CELLAR

Situated along the picturesque West Coast of South Africa, nestled in the Darling Hills, which roll and fall along the contours of an ancient granite intrusion, Ormonde Private Cellar looms over the Atlantic Ocean as the sea-breezes grace the vineyards with coolness and moisture. This not only ensures ideal conditions for preserving flavour profile and acidity in the estate’s white wines, but also helps to moderate summer temperatures, thereby extending the growing season and producing red wines of depth and intensity. With soil composition varying between: deep homogeneous soils (rich in iron and organic matter) and harsh glenrosa forms (derived from the granite); the unique combination of these deep soils makes for an idyllic cradle for Ormonde’s vines.

The Basson family built their own 1 000-ton cellar just in time for winemaker, Michiel du Toit, to make wine from the best grapes produced during the 2006 harvest. Ormonde adopts a ‘hands on’ modus operandi in the vineyard, but a ‘hands off’ approach in the winery; allowing for the full, pristine expression of fruit and terroir in every bottle. The modern Ormonde cellar is geared towards making wine using traditionally French techniques including: open fermentation, plunging, racking, blending and barrel-ageing in French barriques.

ORMONDE’S TRIO-COLLECTION

Ormonde concentrates its efforts on 3 ranges. In addition to the elegant Ondine range, Ormonde produces: Alexanderfontein, their lifestyle collection, and flagship Ormonde range.

Alexanderfontein range

Theo honours his father, Nico Basson’s legacy in establishing the brand ‘Alexanderfontein’. The appellation is fittingly named after the inaugural farm he purchased in 1970. These wines are crafted for unpretentious pleasure and reverie, and consistently over-deliver on value. The collection comprises three whites and three reds, all single-varietal wines: Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc, Merlot, Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon.

Ormonde range

This award-winning range is representative of Ormonde’s finest wines produced from the estate’s finest grapes. The collection includes: Sauvignon Blanc 2012 (awarded a Top 100 status at the 2013 Top 100 SA Wine Challenge and a Silver medal at Concours Mondial du Sauvignon 2013 Challenge), Chardonnay 2009, Proprietor’s Blend 2009 (Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon and Chenin Blanc blend), Pinot Noir 2010, Shiraz 2009, Vernon Basson 2007 (Bordeaux-style red blend) and Theodore Eksteen 2008 (Rhône-style red blend) which won the Trophy for Best Shiraz-based Red Blend at The Old Mutual Trophy Wine Show 2011.

VISIT ORMONDE PRIVATE CELLAR IN DARLING

Ormonde Private Cellar’s attractive tasting facilities and homestead are situated in the town of Darling. In fact, Mount Pleasant Street comes to an end at the striking farm gates and the 400 hectares of vineyards spread out from there, rolling up into the hills behind the village.

Tasting and sales: Monday to Friday: 9am to 5pm
Saturdays and public holidays: 9am to 3pm
Closed: Easter Friday, 25 and 26 December and 1 January
Picnics: By appointment or bring your own
Vineyard tours: By appointment
Other facilities Facilities for children and nature walks
Telephone: 022 492 3540
E-mail: info@ormonde.co.za
Website: www.ormonde.co.za
GPS co-ordinates: S 33°22''20.2" E 18°21''23.6"

Ormonde Private Cellar announces new vintage and maiden releases

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