WITH MUCH more focus these days on the name of a cellar in Paarl than that of the producer or the name it trades under, the label is an artwork in itself. Warshay Investments’ KWV Cathedral Cellar Sauvignon Blanc has been a friend of discerning wine lovers for many years, ranking among the Top 20 in the South African Wine Classification. The 2010 vintage was a champion at the country’s Trophy Wine Show, the 2012 earned a trophy at the Decanter World Wine Awards, the 2016 vintage achieved gold at the International Wine & Spirit Competition (also in the UK), and the current-release 2019 came away from the 2021 Decanter Awards with a score of 97 – one of only 10 wines of the Cape to do so and the only Sauvignon Blanc among them.

No doubt there will be some who raise an eyebrow on taking note of the vintage – a two-year-old, unwooded wine in the company of younger Sauvignons, and we’re told by the winemakers that it’s good for another year at least. Good price too!

KWV CATHEDRAL CELLAR SAUVIGNON BLANC 2019
WO Western Cape (vineyards in Darling). Entire winemaking process about retaining maximum flavour. After pressing, the grapes were cold-settled for 24 hours before tank-fermentation at 12/13 deg C using specific yeasts for each batch. 60 days on the lees (spent yeast).
Alc 14.1 | RS 2  | TA 7.3 | pH 3.4
Winemakers’ Tasting Notes: “This expressive and lively wine shows distinctive aromas of gooseberries, asparagus, with an undertone of granadilla and guava. The palate shows hints of grapefruit… Can be cellared for up to 36 months from vintage.”
Decanter Judges’ Tasting Notes: “Big, pungent passion fruit and mandarin orange nose with balancing grassy notes. The powerful, multi-layered palate has a bitter lemon intensity with enticing notes of oranges, lime peel, lemon grass, and fig. A really sophisticated offering.”
Producer’s Serving Suggestion: “A perfect match with creamy seafood pasta and grilled lobster.”
R85pb at the cellar door in Paarl.