Newton Johnson, Upper Hemel-en-Aarde Valley

ALSO KNOWN as Alvarinho in Spain and Portugal where it is used to make white wines including Vinho Verde, the Albariño grape was used for the first time in South Africa at Newton Johnson Vineyards in the Upper Hemel-en-Aarde Valley outside Hermanus. Maiden vintage: 2015.

Though Pinot Noir specialists, the family’s expertise has long extended to Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc, too. They imported Albariño vine material in the belief that they could establish another home for the variety in wet and cool conditions similar to where it originated and come up with something unique in the Cape winelands. “More texture than Sauvignon Blanc.” A “Riesling-like florality and complexity” is one way of describing it.

NEWTON JOHNSON ALBARIÑO 2022
WO Upper Hemel-en-Aarde Valley. Decomposed granite soils with some clay and fine gravel. Three blocks of trelissed vines grafted onto 10-year-old rootstock in 2013. Grapes harvested during the first two weeks of March, hand-picked and packed into shallow crates to limit crushing of the bunches, cooled overnight and then hand-sorted before whole-bunch pressing. Juice settled overnight before racking into large concrete eggs (29%), stainless-steel tanks (62%) and old foudre (large oak vats) for eight months. Spontaneous fermentation (wild yeast). 13 490 bottles.
Acl 13.3 | RS 2.9 | TA 6.1 | pH 3.3
Producer’s Tasting Notes: Scents of apple blossom and honeydew. A pungent base of ripe limes, tangy nectarine and quince softened by a beeswax character – the waxy texture enveloping the palate. Refreshing acidity on the finish. Enjoy on release or up to 10 years after vintage.
Pairing Suggestions: Goes well with seafood, especially calamari.
R255pb ex-cellar.

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• Ayama Vermentino
• Bosman Nero (d’Avola)
• DaschBosch Avon Clairette Blanche
• Diemersdal Grüner Veltliner
• Kloovenburg Lledoner Pelut
• Lemberg Hárslevelü
• Lowerland Tolbos Tannat
• Lozärn Carménère
• Stellenbosch Vineyards Ltd Release Therona