Sauvignon Blanc monocépage

WINEMAKER’S NOTES
Looking for a crisper, brighter style of Sauvignon Blanc, the grapes for the 2017 vintage came from the cool-climate region of Walker Bay. The grapes were whole-bunch pressed for fruit purity and brightness, then settled over 24 hours before being cold-fermented at 14 degrees Celsius. After fermentation, the wine was matured on the lees in stainless steel for 10 months before being racked, filtered and bottled.

TASTING NOTES
The coastal influence is immediately evident on the nose, with lovely bright tropical fruit, lemon zest and minerality coming through. The palate is surprisingly full, due to the extended lees time, giving great texture to the wine and also balancing out the fresh acidity and steely, dry finish.
This Sauvignon Blanc should age for many years to come, but is drinking beautifully right now. Great on its own or as a partner to lively summer food.

​

TECHNICAL INFORMATION

Region: Walker Bay, South Africa

Winemaker: Craig McNaught

Alcohol: 13.37 %
Sugar: 1.2 g/l
Acidity: 5.4 g/l
pH: 3.54

66.6% Chardonnay, 33.3% Semillion Coupage

​

THE NAME
Named after our beautiful Ghost Gum tree, this is the seventh vintage of Ghost Gum White.

WINEMAKER’S NOTES
An unusual blend of two thirds Chardonnay and one third Semillon that captures the essence of Stony Brook’s philosophy by only utilizing the best grapes from the estate. Both Chardonnay and Semillon have a long history within Franschhoek and the two grapes combine to create a wine with lovely balance and texture. Both varieties were barrel-fermented and aged in 50% new oak - mostly French, with 2 small Eastern European barrels used for a portion of the Semillon. The wine underwent partial, wild malolactic fermentation in oak.

TASTING NOTES
Pale gold in colour with glints of vibrant green. The Chardonnay component offers fresh citrus and butterscotch on the nose, while the Semillon gives richness and a suggestion of honeycomb on the palate. The oak is perfectly balanced and complements the fruit and natural structure of the wine. The brightness and oak contact will allow this wine to age and change gracefully for up to 8 years from harvest. The Semillon will come to the fore as the wine matures. A wonderful accompaniment to seafood or creamy pasta dishes.

TECHNICAL INFORMATION

Region: Franschhoek, South Africa

Winemaker: Craig McNaught

Alcohol: 13.64%
Sugar: 2.1 g/l
Acidity: 5.6 g/l
pH: 3.45

52% Shiraz, 46% Mourvèdre, 2% Viognier Coupage

​

WINEMAKER’S NOTES
The Shiraz (52%) and Viognier (2%) grapes were co-fermented with 7% lignified stalks to freshen up and give additional fragrance to the wine. The Mourvèdre (46%) was picked very ripe to allow soft, round tannins to be extracted during fermentation in stainless steel.

After fermentation, the two components were taken to second-and-third-fill French Oak for natural malolactic fermentation and maturation, where the wine spent 28 months before filtration and bottling.

TASTING NOTES
Intense dark fruit aromas on the nose with mocha and all-spice. The palate shows dense, savory flavors and a robust finish. There are multiple layers of texture in the wine, with lovely balance between the richness, chunky tannins and poised acidity. A wonderful pairing with slow-cooked winter foods like Boeuf Bourguignon or pulled pork.

TECHNICAL INFORMATION

Winemaker: Craig McNaught

Region: Franschhoek, South Africa

Alcohol: 15.14%
Sugar: 1.7 g/l
Acidity: 7.5 g/l
pH: 3.29

45% C. Sauvignon, 40% Merlot, 10% Malbec and 5% P. Verdot

WINEMAKER’S NOTES
This wine, like its namesake, our 15-year-old Jack Russel, has serious attitude and as was recently pointed out to us, it is now also full-bodied! The idea behind The Max is to create a wine that has huge ageing potential as well as round, rich flavours that allow the wine to be enjoyed in its youth.

It is a Bordeaux-style blend, made up of 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot, 10% Malbec and 5% Petit Verdot. All of the components were picked at full ripeness to ensure that the tannins, while firm and grippy, are also round and moreish. The four varieties were matured in a combination of 30% new and 70% second-and-third-fill French oak barriques for 27 months before blending and bottling. A particularly good vintage for this wine, offering the potential to be cellared for 10 to 20 years.

TASTING NOTES
The nose offers dark fruit, wonderful cigar box and caramelized blackberry aromas with a little red pepper, showcasing new-world fruit paired with old-world winemaking techniques. There is sweet, concentrated ripe red fruit on the palate, matched with big, well-integrated tannins and a bright, elegant finish.

TECHNICAL INFORMATION

Region: Franschhoek, South Africa

Winemaker: Craig McNaught

Alcohol: 14.37%
Sugar: 1.9
Acidity: 6.5 g/l
pH: 3.52