Release marks 10th harvest milestone for winemaker
Celebrated Helderberg wine estate Waterkloof has drawn back the curtains on the latest creation in its Circumstance range for premier, site-specific wines to reveal the Cape Coral 2019 Mourvèdre Rosé. For winemaker Nadia Barnard-Langenegger, the release is especially poignant – it marks her 10th-anniversary harvest at Waterkloof.
“The Cape Coral Rosé was one of the first wines I tasted from Waterkloof. When I did, I just knew I’d ended up at the right farm,” declares Nadia.
The delightfully pale-coloured Rosé shows delicate aromas of pomegranates and raspberries with a prominent flintiness. There’s finesse and elegance on the palate with lingering fresh acidity on the aftertaste.
“Every year I look forward to every aspect of making this wine; finding that optimal ripeness and carrying the character of the fruit through to the wine,” Nadia says. “To make that happen, pressing is gentle to retain both the beautiful, light-pink colour and a soft mouthfeel. Of course, we try not to interfere with nature. The juice is left to ferment – slowly, in oak fermenters – by the wild yeast that occurs naturally in the vineyards.
“Our guiding principle is to create what we call ‘honest wine’ – a wine that’s true to its terroir.”
That terroir is located among the fynbos-covered hills of the Schapenberg, which is embraced by the mountains of the Hottentots-Holland and Helderberg. It was here – also in 2009 – that the construction of Waterkloof’s state-of-the-art gravitational cellar, tasting room and restaurant began.
The farm’s highest point is 300m above sea level and it lies a scant four kilometres from the False Bay coast, giving the vineyards the full benefit of ample sunlight and cooling breezes essential for the slow and full development of fruit.
The landscape creates wines of such distinction that Waterkloof conceived the Circumstance range, of which the Cape Coral Rosé is one. Circumstance wines are each defined by a single grape variety and a unique symphony of fortuitous, site-specific circumstances – soil, aspect and altitude – in which that given variety is grown.
In this, the Cape Coral 2019 Mourvèdre Rosé is a shining ambassador. The wine is splendid when served chilled, on its own, but also marries well with a variety of dishes including spicy, tuna-based sushi.
For more information or to place wine orders contact Waterkloof Estate on 021 858 1292 or visit www.waterkloofwines.co.za. Stay updated with the latest news by following @WaterkloofWines on Twitter and Instagram and @Waterkloof on Facebook.
