Premier White Cultivars
Chardonnay |
Chardonnay, made famous in Burgundy and Champagne, is the second most important premium white wine cultivar on Benguela Cove. Three different Chardonnay clones have been planted on the cool Southern facing slopes. Chardonnay buds very early
and ripens mid season (beginning March).
Chardonnay is a moderate grower and with narrower inter plant spacing on the lower slope area, has shown very promising Walkerbay wine potential at a very early age. The natural rich cool climate apple, lemon flavours balanced by riper peach, pineapple fruit will combine well with the textured, buttery lees roundness in combination with nutty, vanilla oaked flavours. |
|
Semillon |
A very small portion of Semillon has been planted as a blending partner for Sauvignon Blanc
and / or Chardonnay on the most South Eastern borders of the farm. Semillon grows slightly vigorously, and produce big bunches that rots very easily if not properly managed. The Semillon therefore receives special attention during canopy management, in planning of the fungi spray program and is farmed almost dryland.
Good Semillon will produce almost grassy like Sauvignon Blanc flavours, but with a lower natural acid. In cooler areas it has been shown to lend mouth feel and limey minerality towards the blending partner. |
|
Sauvignon Blanc |
Sauvignon Blanc is the most widely planted variety on Benguela Cove. Sauvignon Blanc is one of the most terroire sensitive white cultivars in the world and thrives under cool maritime growing conditions. On Benguela Cove we have planted seven different quality clones on the predominant cooler South / Eastern facing slopes. In Sancerre, Graves and Sauternes it has produced world class wines.
Sauvignon Blanc ripens early mid season (mid Feb - early March) and is a strong grower and produces fresh, fragrant wines with natural high acids, especially if harvested at low sugar levels. Depending on the ripeness levels the flavours could vary from green bean / grassy, tinned pear to riper, more tropical character of grapefruit, guava, passion and mango fruit. With longer lees contact and ageing the wine may develop towards more complex lemon, citrus minerality and asparagus flavours.
The Benguela Cove Sauvignon Blancs have shown that the wine develops quite late, like most cool climate Sauvignon Blancs, and reaches it's more drinkable potential only about 9 - 12 months after harvest. The clay and lime rich weathered shale soils produce elegant wines with complex fruit and natural balanced acids. Due to the complex structure of the wine it will age well, especially in magnum bottles. |
 |
|
Premier Red Cultivars
Shiraz |
 |
Shiraz is the most widely planted premium red variety on site. In order to produce world class Shiraz a wine of great complexity and structure is needed. The six different Shiraz clones in different rootstock have been planted on the cooler South Western and warmer North Western slopes. Malbec, Mouvedre and Viognier have been planted as blending partners for the Shiraz. The different clones, rootstock, slopes and blending partners will help to create more complexity.
Shiraz is a vigorous grower, but on Benguela Cove the windy conditions and slow water releasing weathered shale soils have shown to be a moderating factor, which bring natural balance to the vines. With supplementary irrigation, soil moisture control with neutron probes and detailed attention to growth indicators (tendrils) a balanced vines as natural as possible is grown.
The maiden Shiraz wine produced in 2007 and released towards end of 2008 has shown that the site will produce typical cool climate red spicy, peppery Shiraz fruit flavours with elegance and backbone. The maiden vintage has also shown that the Shiraz fruit can be nicely balanced by careful use of different French oaking regimes. |
Cabernet Sauvignon |
The late ripening, king of red premium grapes, have been planted on the cooler South Western and warmer North Western slopes. The three different clones will increase complexity in combination with different rootstock selection and aspect.
Cabernet is a vigorous grower, but on Benguela Cove it has produced some of the smallest Cab bunches recorded in South Africa - an indication of correct clonal selection and natural balancing growing conditions. As a late ripening variety it is a challenge to grow and ripen properly in a cool climate area.
The maiden 2007 Vintage, released towards end of 2008, has produced typical cool climate ripe herbaceous (minty/eucalyptus), blackcurrant and cassis Cab fruit, that shows very good potential for young vines. The wine needs time to develop and progress and will be closely monitored as the wine reaches maturity. |
|
|
|
