SURELY it’s the South African Sauvignon Blanc most raved about by most critics in 2020… With the results of the International Wine Challenge (UK) as well as the Veritas Awards (SA) and 5 Star ratings in the next Platter’s SA Wine Guide still to come, no other Sauvignon from the Cape has received as many glowing reviews from such top panels as Stark-Condé Round Mountain 2019:

• 95/100 at Decanter World Wine Awards (UK)
• Top 10 in Winemag Report (SA)
• Gold medallist at Trophy Wine Show (SA)
• Winner in Sauvignon Blanc SA Top 10

“From the beginning,” says Stark-Condé proprietor José Conde, “when we started making wine from this old block [in 2015], we wanted to make a different style – something that brings out the uniqueness of the site and the intensity of the fruit.” The grapes come from one of the oldest plantings on the Oude Nektar farm in the Jonkershoek Valley of Stellenbosch – the ‘Round Mountain’ vineyard is located on one of the property’s highest slopes. Subtle wooding. Classy.

STARK-CONDÉ ROUND MOUNTAIN SAUVIGNON BLANC 2019
WO Jonkershoek, Stellenbosch. Vines 29 years old. Barrel fermentation: mainly used, neutral French oak (only 5% new). Eight months on the lees (spent yeast). Light fining and minimal filtration.
Alc 13 | RS 2.5 | TA 8.1 | pH 3.3
Producer’s Tasting Notes: Complex; a mix of tropical fruits, lime and fynbos on the nose; rich palate with finely textured finish. (The partial malolactic fermentation and stirring of the lees helps to balance the acidity and gives the wine some added palate weight).
Maturation Potential: “This wine has all the characteristics to age nicely.”
R195pb ex-cellar.