Sauvignon Blanc to buy this year!

So peeps from the Blogosphere, I know that this is another boring list-style post, but it is also so much more than that. After a delightful (did I mention free?) lunch at the Hohenhort Cellars in Constantia (courtesty of my chef friend) I am committed to only drinking quality wine. If that means I drink less of it, so be it.

In any case, the Wine Magazine Top 10 Sauvignon Blancs have just been announced. I listed them here for you so you too can invest in the magic. It's a good excuse to go wine tasting too!

THE TOP 10 (in order of Star rating, then ascending price)

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Anura Unfiltered Reserve 2010
CELLAR PRICE: R80
Alc 13% RS 1.4g/L TA 7.6g/L pH 3.4
Intensely herbaceous on the nose. The palate is focused and pure with flavours of lime and green pepper. Excellent line of acidity. Drink now – 2012.


★ ★ ★ ★ ✩


Sauvignon.com 2010*
APPROXIMATE RETAIL PRICE: R34.99
Alc 14.02% RS 1.8g/L TA 8.1g/L pH 3.35
Herbaceous, slightly sweaty nose. The palate is intensely flavoured, yet lean and very dry. Great line of acidity. Drink now.

First Sighting 2009*
STRANDVELD PRICE: R57
Alc 13.1% RS 1.9g/L TA 6.3g/L pH 3.32
Gravel-road dustiness and herbaceous character on the nose. The palate shows optimally ripe fruit and gentle acidity. Attractive paprika/white pepper note lends interest. Drink now.


Cederberg 2010*
CELLAR PRICE: R85
Alc 13% RS 2.4g/L TA 7g/L pH 3.49
Pungent nose showing plenty of grassy, herbaceous character. The palate shows great fruit expression and fresh acidity. Pronounced lime flavour. Clean and pure with a long finish. Drink now – 2013.


De Grendel Koetshuis 2010*
CELLAR PRICE: R85
Alc 13.5% RS 1.5g/L TA 7.5g/L pH 3.4
Very herbaceous on the nose. The palate is austere and elegant yet displays excellent flavour intensity. Lime and paprika flavour. Drink now – 2013.

Strandveld 2010
CELLAR PRICE: R90
Alc 14.12% RS 1.8g/L TA 6.2g/L pH 3.34
Gravel-road dustiness and herbaceous character on the nose. The palate is clean and pure with juicy fruit and fresh acidity. Lime and green pepper flavour. Drink now – 2013.


Graham Beck
Pheasants’ Run 2009*
CELLAR PRICE: R135
Alc 14.2% RS 1.8g/L TA 7.9g/L pH 3.52
Intensely herbaceous on the nose and palate. Good palate weight, well integrated acidity. A complex wine with flavours of lime and paprika/white pepper. Drink now – 2012.


Graham Beck
Pheasants’ Run 2010*
CELLAR PRICE: R135
Alc 13.56% RS 2.3g/L TA 7g/L pH 3.44
Intensely herbaceous on nose and palate. Clean and pure with juicy fruit and an excellent line of acidity. Long, dry finish. Drink now – 2013.

★ ★ ★ ★

Darling Cellars Bush Vine 2010*
CELLAR PRICE: R35
Alc 12.62% RS 2.9g/L TA 6.9g/L pH 3.28
Hint of green melon on an otherwise shy nose. Light-bodied, elegant and austere on the palate. Lemon-lime flavour, great line of acidity. Drink now.

Groote Post Reserve 2009
CELLAR PRICE: R95
Alc 13.85% RS 3.9g/L TA 7.6g/L pH 3.45
Very grassy, herbaceous on the nose. The palate is big but balanced with ripe, juicy fruit and tangy acidity. Lots of paprika/ white pepper flavour and good texture. Drink now – 2012.