In the wake of the success of its maiden vintage, Western Wines has released the 2003 Kumala Journey's End Chardonnay. This latest addition to the Kumala Single Vineyard Series is described as 'clear and bright, with upfront citrus on the nose, and a hint of vanilla and stewed fruit. Its crisp acidity is supported by a lemony aftertaste, with well-balanced fruit on the palate.' Barrel maturation occurred over nine months in French and American oak.
The Journey's End Chardonnay 2002 was the only chardonnay to receive a Five Star rating in the John Platter South African Wine Guide 2004, where it is described as 'Dramatic and delicious. Catches attention straight off with brilliant lemon hue. For all its opulence, graceful and refined.' The other wine in the Journey's End stable, the Cabernet Sauvignon 2002, was awarded Four Stars in the same publication.
Western Wines' Chairman Roger Gabb showed great foresight when he bought his farm near Sir Lowry's Pass Village, in the Helderberg basin. The Schaapenberg hills, the site of Journey's End vineyards, had just started to show some promise, with some exceptional wines emerging from the area. The Schaapenberg terroir is now recognised as ideal for ultra-premium wine production, which, with its sea-facing slopes and excellent soils, has drawn comparison to Bordeaux's best.
Twenty-one hectares are currently under vine at Journey's End, of which 90% is planted to red cultivars, and 10% to white. In keeping with Roger Gabb's quality-first philosophy, the yield has been limited to five tons per hectare. Recently, he bought the adjacent property, Kendall Lodge, extending the Journey's End vineyards by five to six hectares for the possible inclusion of Viognier and Sauvignon Blanc.
The Journey's End range is the flagship of Western Wines' Kumala brand, South Africa's best selling export wine. Launched by Western Wines UK in 1995, Kumala has achieved phenomenal growth and today, is the fourth biggest selling wine in the top twenty brands in the UK off-trade - and South Africa's most popular brand in the UK. Kumala's trademark African gecko is a familiar logo to British consumers, seen on billboards, television and on the tube rail system.
Kumala was officially launched in South Africa in September last year, with the release of its Reserve and Journey's End ranges. The wines are available at selected outlets, where the Journey's End Chardonnay 2003 retails for approximately R95.
Contact: James Reid
Western Wines SA (Pty) Ltd
Tel: 021 882 9631
Cell: 082 557 2968
Email: info@westernwines-sa.co.za
www.kumala.com