in the vineyard : Grapes from one specific site in the Franschhoek area are combined with a secret French barrel selection, to produce the classic flavours that give this style its world-wide appeal. The wine is light in texture, but has all the charm of a world-class example of this variety, as it has proved to be.
Origin
Grapes for this wine originate from La Motte, Franschhoek. The vineyard lies 200 metres above sea-level, against a southern and south western slope.
Vintage
A good, cold winter preceded the season. It was cool until November, resulting in slow budding. Rainfall was irregular, with little rain in December and none in January. The season will be remembered for heat waves in late January. During three consecutive days the temperature in the Boand rose above 40 degrees Celsius, followed, a few days later, by two equally hot days. Some of the exposed bunches were heat-damaged, which would, no doubt, have affected flavour.
Viticulture
Vineyard blocks: 6 (4,9 ha) Soil type: Clovelly Direction planted: north-south Density: 4 630 vines per hectare (2,7 m x 0,8 m) Root stock: Richter 99 Clone: CY 3 Year planted: 1997 Trellising: Perold Irrigation: Drip