BAMBOES BAY SAUVIGNON BLANC 2022

The winemaking process at Fryers Cove is, in true West Coast style, very straight forward with minimal intervention used as a basis. On the nose this wine is a vibrant mix of clean herbaceous and tangy passion fruit aromas, with briny wisps of seaweed in the background. The palate shows a combination of citrus, white peach and lemongrass with a saline minerality. The coated acidity is well balanced with all the intense flavours and gives the wine a rich mouthfeel.

The Bamboes Bay Sauvignon Blanc vineyards are planted on Hutton-type soil, layered with limestone which extends deep into the earth. They form part of Fryers Cove's coveted 6-hectare planting at Bamboes Bay, the country's smallest demarcated wine ward.

The 2021 harvest was one of those standout years for growing Sauvignon Blanc grapes, a vintage to savour. It was marked by cool days with the ever-present sea mist rolling in from the cold Atlantic Ocean, wrapping our vineyards in a protective cloak. This led to optimal long and even ripening, with harvest starting 2 weeks later than normal. The final ripening was quick and the healthy, flavourful grapes were picked at perfect sugar levels over a period of one week.

The winemaking process at Fryers Cove is, in true West Coast style, very straight forward with minimal intervention used as a basis. The Sauvignon Blanc grapes are firstly destemmed and then pressed, with only the finest free-run juice used for the Bamboes Bay range. Settling occurs overnight with a small amount of settling enzyme added. The juice is racked the next day and inoculated with yeast, whereafter it ferments for approximately a week. After fermentation, the wine is left to age on its lees to further broaden the mouthfeel.