Steenberg Black Swan Sauvignon Blanc 2012

Wine of Origin: Constantia

Location: Constantia

Winemaker: JD Pretorius

Background: Steenberg’s reputation for producing quality Sauvignon Blancs goes back to the 1995 vintage made by Nicky Versveld at Welmoed (Steenberg’s cellar was not built yet) when they received a Platter 4-star rating. As a result more vineyards were planted with this cultivar along with other suitable red and white varieties for the climate and soils on the farm. By the turn of the century they were producing both a standard and Reserve Sauvignon Blanc. Later additions included a Sauvignon under their Klein Steenberg range as well as the successful wooded version called Steenberg Rattlesnake. The flagship Reserve was produced from the farm’s oldest Sauvignon vineyard which had dismally low yields, so a decision was made to phase out the Reserve with the last vintage being the 2011, and this gave birth to The Black Swan. Produced from grapes grown on three selected vineyards, the 2012 had 10 percent of the juice fermented in 600-litre French Oak barrels. After fermentation the wine was kept on its lees for seven months before bottling.

The name Black Swan  originates from the Spur-Winged Geese which are common in the Western Cape and were mistakenly referred to as Black Swans when the Dutch first inhabited the area of Steenberg. This led to Steenberg Farm originally being named Swaaneweide which means “Feeding place of the Swan”.

Result:  Beautifully poised elegant wine with bracing cool minerally ripeness. Delicious flinty tropical fruit rises to the occasion on the mid palate ending with a long creamy finish.

When to drink: Now until 2020

Drink with what: Our introduction to this wine with food was at Catharina’s Restaurant where we enjoyed it with Pan-fried Salmon Trout, grilled crayfish, sautéed asparagus and a tomato and chive beurre noisette. Enjoy also with lemon based fish dishes as well as tempura battered prawns!

Expect to pay: R178.00

To order this wine, email Wine Concepts