Kloovenburg Sauvignon Blanc 2011

Despite the fact that it’s cold and I am drinking my way through copious amounts of red wine, I have also been enjoying some of the new release 2011 white wines especially Sauvignon Blanc. A glass of chilled Sauvignon at the end of a busy day puts me in a good mood for the evening ahead and especially if the wine has a low alcohol content. Generally the 2011 whites I have had so far have showed lovely crisp tropical fruit flavours with balanced acids making the wines easier to enjoy on the palate. The Kloovenburg Sauvignon Blanc 2011, which has just been released, offers a wonderful mouth feel of fresh pineapple and tropical fruit so typical of this style of wine. The flavours lingered on well after the first sip allowing me to absorb the excellent quality and finesse of this wine.

Kloovenburg, on the outskirts of Riebeek Kasteel in the Swartland region, is owned by the enterprising couple Pieter and Annalene du Toit. They have since 1998 produced a range of fine wines as well as Olive products.

The du Toits, who have owned Kloovenburg since 1958, found the climate on the farm to be perfectly balanced for grape production. Warm, dry summer months are tempered by cool Atlantic sea breezes whilst high winter rainfall reduces the need for summer irrigation. The cool, crisp winters allow the vines to rest; and a varying soil composition lends itself to the planting of different grape varieties.

Kloovenburg currently produces a mix of red and white wine varietals, including Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Shiraz.

The Sauvignon Blanc 2011 is delicious and easy to drink with a lowish alcohol of 12.5%, but will gain complexity after a few more months in bottle.

Expect to pay R78.50