2019 Springfontein Ulumbaza Red
Type of Wine | Red |
---|---|
Country | |
Region | |
Appellation | Walker Bay |
Winery | |
Vintage | 2019 |
Grape | |
Content (Alc) | 0.75 ltr (13.5%) |
Drink window | 2022 - 2027 |
Description
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), so that the grapes build a nice balance between ripe fruit and fresh acidity. Just like with the Creation winery, the wines from this region have an old-world style and the wines are very similar to wines from, among others, Burgundy.
Ulumbaza means 'house of joy' and this red wine is a quirky blend of 42% Pinotage / 30% Cabernet Sauvignon / 20% Shiraz / 8% Petit Verdot.
The Springfontein vineyards are located on calcareous soil - Alkaline with a high mineral content. After de-aging, the wines are lightly cooled and then the must remains at 5°C in a cold room to settle. The fermentation ferments in small stainless steel tanks with indigenous yeasts. All four cultivars were vinified separately in stainless steel tanks, after which the wines are again aged separately in 2nd and 3rd year barriques for 10 months before being blended in its current form and bottled unfiltered.
The Ulumbaza Red has a fresh ruby red color with many scents and flavors of blackberries and plums. Full and creamy red with round tannins and a long, tasty finish. Shows intensity and focus.
Specifications
Type of Wine | Red |
---|---|
Country | South Africa |
Region | Walker Bay |
Appellation | Walker Bay |
Winery | Springfontein |
Grape | Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, Pinotage, Syrah-Shiraz |
Biological certified | No |
Natural wine | No |
Vegan | Yes |
Vintage | 2019 |
Drinking as of | 2022 |
Drinking till | 2027 |
Alcohol % | 13.5 |
Alcohol free/low | No |
Content | 0.75 ltr |
Oak aging | No |
Sparkling | No |
Dessert wine | No |
Closure | Screw cap |
Promotion | Tier Price |
James Suckling rating | 92 |
Tasting Profiles | Earthy, Dark fruit, Dry, Aged on wood, Powerful, Tannines, Full |
Drink moments | Barbecue, Lekker luxe, Met vrienden, Open haard |
Wijnhuis
There was once …
…according to her notes, Scottish travel writer and painter Lady Anne Barnard must have passed the ground of Springfontein in May 1798 on a journey from present-day Hermanus to Stanford along the south side of the lagoon and the course of the Klein River. However, the farm was not registered as such until June 1, 1816, when it was awarded to the then President of the Cape High Court, Sir Johannes Andries Truter, as first owner. The farm, which is now a restaurant, is probably about 200 years old. This is evident not least by the carefully exposed walls.
Springfontein is named after the jumping, bubbling (Afrikaans: "Spring") well (Afrikaans: "Fountain") that, located in the northeastern part of the farm, promised ample water for agricultural use, while the bottom seemed rather problematic. For decades, in addition to small-scale livestock farming with sheep, goats and cattle, attempts were made to grow onions and potatoes, but limited to the immediate vicinity of the buildings. In 1983, all agricultural activities came to a complete standstill for more than a decade.
dr. Johst Weber bought this estate in 1996 and is still the owner together with the children. The team has been strengthened with Tariro Masayiti as winemaker and Hildegard Witbooi as vineyard expert. The farm has been organic for several years and the certification process has been completed. You can call the style of winemaking traditional, much is still done by hand. After the manual harvest, all grape bunches are selected again and only what is absolutely right is used. Tariro also makes a series of top wines under the name 'Limestone Rocks', with names of famous rock songs:
Dark Side of the Moon
Child in Time
Gadda da Vida
Whole Lotta Love