Groote Post, the scenic Darling Hills winery on the West Coast, has won Best White Wine, Best Of Class - Sauvignon Blanc, and a Gold medal for its Sauvignon Blanc 2003 at the 2004 World Wine Market International Wine Competition held this month in San Francisco.
Competing against eleven other countries, South Africa won four medals in total, all from producers within the Ward of Darling.
The United States won the overwhelming majority of the awards, including three Best of Class awards, while Australia took Best of Show with a 2002 Shiraz.
The World Wine Market is a three-day event that aims to bring producers and purchasers together to sample and compare wines. Seven prominent wine authorities from across the United States judged at the event, and awarded a total of 127 medals, including 20 gold, 47 silver, and 51 bronze, in addition to nine category awards.
Groote Post Sauvignon Blanc has been commercially successful since its maiden vintage in 1999, which achieved a Four Star rating in WINE Magazine the same year, one of only four wines of its cultivar and vintage to do so.
The 2003 Sauvignon Blanc is described as showing intense aromas of nettles and cut grass, subtle tropical fruit flavours, crisp balanced acidity and structured finish.
The unique Darling Hills terroir, a combination of soil, microclimate and aspect, is acknowledged for its particular suitability to Sauvignon Blanc. Prevailing breezes from the Atlantic Ocean produce a long and cool ripening period, which enables the growth of high quality grapes with concentrated flavours and complexity. The soils in the sea-facing vineyards are deep, well-drained Hutton and Oakleaf, with a moisture-retaining clay component.
In addition to its excellent wines, Groote Post offers much to delight, including nature walks, picnics and the award-winning Hilda’s Kitchen restaurant. The restaurant is situated in an 18th century restored manor house, now a national monument, and serves modern country cooking to a very high standard. The farm also forms part of the famous West Coast Spring Flower Route.
Other wines in the Groote Post stable include wooded and unwooded chardonnay, chenin blanc, shiraz, merlot, pinot noir, and the Old Man’s Blend.
Visitors are welcome at the cellar for wine tasting and sales from Monday to Friday, 8am to 4pm and on Saturdays from 9am to 2.30pm. The restaurant is open from Wednesday to Saturday for lunch; bookings are essential.
The 2003 Sauvignon Blanc retails in the R45-49 price range, VAT inclusive. The 2004 Sauvignon Blanc will be available from mid-June at a recommended retail price of R54.
GROOTE POST SAUVIGNON BLANC 2003.
Winemaker Lukas Wentzels’ comments:
'The 2003 vintage will be remembered as above average. It was an easier vintage to work with and no problems were experienced in either the vineyards or the cellar. The temperatures were lower than in previous years allowing a much longer ripening period. This resulted in wines, particularly the whites, with a greater intensity of fruit on the nose and riper acids giving more elegance and balance on the palate. The wine has lovely grassy flavours on the nose and palate with hints of tropical fruit in the background. Lovely structure on the palate with a good backbone. Drinking well now but will continue to show improvement.'
Issued by: Groote Post
Contact: Nick Pentz
Tel: +27 (0) 22 492-2825
E-mail: gpwines@wcaccess.co.za
Website: www.grootepost.com