2018 Springfontein Ulumbaza White

The Walker Bay wine district is unique due to its proximity to the Atlantic Ocean and this ensures that the climate here is predominantly cool to very cool (cool-climate), allowing the grapes to build a nice balance between ripe fruit and fresh acidity. As with the Creation winery, the wines from this region have an old-world style and the wines are very similar to wines from Burgundy, among others.

Ulumbaza means 'house of joy' and this white wine is an idiosyncratic blend of Sauvignon blanc 32.5%, Semillon 22.5%, Pinotage 22.5% and Chardonnay 22.5%

The Springfontein vineyards are located on calcareous soil - Alkaline with a high mineral content. The fermentation ferments in small stainless steel tanks with native yeasts. All four cultivars were vinified separately in stainless steel tanks. Sauvignon blanc, Semillon and Chardonnay grapes were harvested by hand in boxes early in the morning and kept in a cold room overnight. The next morning, the grapes were sorted by hand before being destemmed, crushed and gently pressed with minimal skin contact. The pressed juice was clarified for 48 hours before fermentation in stainless steel tanks with native yeasts.

The Pinota grapes were harvested by hand and immediately pressed with a whole bunch to reduce color extraction from the skins. After pressing, the juice was aerated by 'splashing' the red wine present until brown. The browning in the juice falls off during the fermentation which is topped up in a "white Pinotage" wine. After fermentation, all four cultivars were kept separately on fine lees (sur lie) for 8 months and then mixed, followed by stabilization and clarification. The wine was bottled unfiltered and in the end only 5220 bottles were made. With some aging the wine will improve even further.

The Springfontein Ulumbaza White is a lively medium-bodied wine with complex fruit aromas. In the glass it has a clear (straw) yellow color. In the nose notes of ripe peach, melon, fresh pineapple, floral. It has a refreshing taste with citrus, melon, grassy and floral notes and a long mineral finish. Delicious with polenta, pasta with king prawns, green salads or simply without food.

Platter's ***(*):
Reworked (unoaked) blend of sauvignon (32%) with equal semillon, pinotage & chardonnay improves on previous. 2017 rounded body, pleasant apple & pear fruit.