Altima Sauvignon Blanc
The nose is bold and uncompromising in its intensity with nettles and grapefruit zest most prominent. The palate boasts a thrilling tension and vivacity. Taut, tangy lemon-lime and grapefruit twist. It’s light, crisp, and soft in a powerful yet lean way .Vivid acidity but beautifully balanced by the fruit flavours and lees. Lovely and crisp in its freshness with ample lip-smacking verve and zip. A deceptively light but powerful wine with a lingering tail. It will age well too.
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5* - Platters 2024
Altima Sauvignon Blanc
Cool climate origins are apparent in the nettle and pea pod notes which vie with granadilla on the nose. Th e palate is deliciously crisp, tangy and succulent. Grapefruit flavour with a zippy lemon skin and a subtle pea nuance. Taut and genuinely thrilling with vivid acidity and a lightly smoky lees element. Adding to the complexity is distinct minerality presenting river pebble and slate interest. Well-structured and long lasting.
Tasting NotesAltima Sauvignon Blanc
A light flinty, gravel note underpins granadilla and grapefruit aromas on the nose. A Taut and zingy lemon and grapefruit vivacity is immediately apparent in the mouth. Adding to the complexity is a slate and mineral nuance. The palate is fresh and succulent with lively acidity. Unmistakably Sauvignon Blanc, this wine is focussed, crisp and balanced with good concentration, body and length of flavour.
Tasting NotesAltima Sauvignon Blanc
Cool climate origins are apparent in the flinty, herbaceous, snapped green bean and grapefruit zest aromas. The same gravelly elements are found in the mouth. Vibrant and lively with zippy acidity and bags of grapefruit, lemon zest and pea shoot flavours. It then morphs into a rounder, focused and cohesive mouthful with a balanced but crisp, dry and resolved finish.
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Tim Atkin - 92 points
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Platters - 5 star
Altima Sauvignon Blanc
Aromas of intense asparagus and green pepper are followed by upfront passion fruit and gooseberry equally on the nose.
The palate is rich and full of the same intense and powerful flavour, beautifully balanced by the tangy acidity which gives length and vibrancy to the succulent tropical sweetness. A lip smacking wine with a long, juicy finish.
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92 Points - Tim Atkin
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Silver - Concours Mondial du Sauvignon
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4½* - John Platter
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Double Gold - Veritas
Altima Sauvignon Blanc
Appealing aromas of granadilla and grapefruit zest with a tinge of peach blossom too.
The mouthful is succulent and fresh with lively acidity which is balanced by the tangy and tropical flavours of granadilla and stone fruit. Delicious citrus zip is added by grapefruit and yuzu notes. Vibrant yet nicely rounded and balanced. Not a one-dimensional Sauvignon blanc this! Long, lingering finish.
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93 Points - Tim Atkin
Altima Sauvignon Blanc
Appealing aromas of granadilla and grapefruit zest with a tinge of peach blossom too.
The mouthful is succulent and fresh with lively acidity which is balanced by the tangy and tropical flavours of granadilla and stone fruit. Delicious citrus zip is added by grapefruit and yuzu notes. Vibrant yet nicely rounded and balanced. Not a one-dimensional Sauvignon blanc this! Long, lingering finish.
Altima Sauvignon Blanc
Appealing aromas of granadilla and grapefruit zest with a tinge of peach blossom too.
The mouthful is succulent and fresh with lively acidity which is balanced by the tangy and tropical flavours of granadilla and stone fruit. Delicious citrus zip is added by grapefruit and yuzu notes. Vibrant yet nicely rounded and balanced. Not a one-dimensional Sauvignon blanc this! Long, lingering finish.
Tasting Note
The nose is bold and uncompromising in its intensity with nettles and grapefruit zest most prominent. The palate boasts a thrilling tension and vivacity. Taut, tangy lemon-lime and grapefruit twist. It’s light, crisp, and soft in a powerful yet lean way .Vivid acidity but beautifully balanced by the fruit flavours and lees. Lovely and crisp in its freshness with ample lip-smacking verve and zip. A deceptively light but powerful wine with a lingering tail. It will age well too.
Vintage note
The 2023 harvest was preceded by a warm and dry winter, with fairly even budding occurring slightly earlier than the previous year. The warm weather continued throughout the growing season, resulting in an overall lighter crop in most regions. Heavy rains in early December provided much relief and ensured that the vines were in good condition in time for harvest. For the most part of the season, conditions were ideal, and the fruit quality was exceptional. The unusually high and continuous rainfall in March posed some challenges for later-ripening regions and varietals. Overall, a fantastic vintage that promises to produce some outstanding wines.
Average Temperature
15.7°C
Average rainfall
997.9mm
Harvest
8 March 2023 - 16 March 2023
Origin of Fruit
Elandskloof
Soil Type
Decomposed shale
Yield
6.6 ton/ha
Tasting Note
Cool climate origins are apparent in the nettle and pea pod notes which vie with granadilla on the nose. Th e palate is deliciously crisp, tangy and succulent. Grapefruit flavour with a zippy lemon skin and a subtle pea nuance. Taut and genuinely thrilling with vivid acidity and a lightly smoky lees element. Adding to the complexity is distinct minerality presenting river pebble and slate interest. Well-structured and long lasting.
Vintage note
Another cold, wet winter resulting in good dormancy and healthy water levels prior to the growing season. The cool, wet weather continued into spring which in turn resulted in delayed but relatively even bud break, flowering and fruit set. Very favourable conditions for mildew persisted during the growing season which added pressure to canopy management. Very cool conditions during the early summer period delayed ripening and ensured that the vineyards were in very good condition going into another late vintage. Early January saw the arrival of warm temperatures which continued throughout the vintage well into March, allowing for good flavour development and gradual ripening, while maintaining the high levels of bright, vibrant acidity. An exceptional vintage which promises to deliver outstanding, age worthy wines.
Average Temperature
15.6°C
Average rainfall
948.2
Harvest
07/03/2022 - 16/03/2022
Origin of Fruit
Elandskloof
Soil Type
Tukulu, Decomposed shale
Tasting Note
A light flinty, gravel note underpins granadilla and grapefruit aromas on the nose. A Taut and zingy lemon and grapefruit vivacity is immediately apparent in the mouth. Adding to the complexity is a slate and mineral nuance. The palate is fresh and succulent with lively acidity. Unmistakably Sauvignon Blanc, this wine is focussed, crisp and balanced with good concentration, body and length of flavour.
Vintage note
“Late, slow and steady” is the best way to describe the 2021 vintage. The preceding winter was cold and wet, resulting in good dormancy and healthy dam levels prior to the growing season. The cool weather continued into spring which in turn resulted in a delayed but relatively even bud break, flowering and fruit set. The moderate summer temperatures slowed the ripening period and resulted in harvest starting about two weeks later than normal. The usually hot month of February was uncharacteristically cool, allowing for the gradual ripening of fruit with good flavours and acidity. An exceptional vintage which promises to deliver outstanding wines.
Average Temperature
24.54˚C
Average rainfall
252mm
Harvest
03/03/2021 - 17/03/2021
Origin of Fruit
Elandskloof
Soil Type
Tukulu, Decomposed shale
Yield
6 ton/ha
Tasting Note
Cool climate origins are apparent in the flinty, herbaceous, snapped green bean and grapefruit zest aromas. The same gravelly elements are found in the mouth. Vibrant and lively with zippy acidity and bags of grapefruit, lemon zest and pea shoot flavours. It then morphs into a rounder, focused and cohesive mouthful with a balanced but crisp, dry and resolved finish.
Vintage note
Favourable climatic conditions during the growing season, with even flowering and fruit set resulted in higher yields and healthy canopies. The slow, even ripening conditions delivered beautiful fruit with great flavour and balance
Average Temperature
16.8°C
Rainfall
881mm
Harvest
04/03/2020 - 06/04/2020
Origin of Fruit
Elandskloof
Soil type
Tukulu, Decomposed shale
Yield
7 t/ha
Tasting Notes
The initial aromas of intense asparagus and green pepper are followed by upfront passion fruit and gooseberry equally on the nose. The palate is rich and full of the same intense and powerful flavour, beautifully balanced by the tangy acidity which gives length and vibrancy to the succulent tropical sweetness. A lip smacking wine with a long, juicy finish.
Vintage Notes
The 2019 vintage can in some way be described a vintage in two parts, with the first half experiencing favourable weather conditions and good fruit analyses until end of February, and the second half being more challenging, characterised by slower ripening due to cold and rainy weather in March. Good rainfall brought much needed relief from the severe drought experienced in the preceding 3 years, however, warm periods during winter and fluctuating temperatures during spring resulted in smaller berries and some uneven bunch development. Gale force winds and cool growing conditions led to significantly lower yields, especially in these Sauvignon Blanc vineyards. Moderate temperatures during December and January delayed the onset of harvest slightly, but the early heat waves in February and lower yields resulted in these grapes being harvested much earlier than usual.
Average Temperature
15.2°C
Rainfall
788mm
Harvest
20 - 21 February 2019
Origin of Fruit
Elandskloof
Soil type
Tukulu, Decomposed shale
Yield
4.5 t/ha
Tasting Notes
Appealing aromas of granadilla and grapefruit zest with a tinge of peach blossom.
Vintage Notes
Despite the continuing severe drought conditions in the Western Cape, the 2018 harvest yielded very healthy fruit with beautiful flavour and good acidity. Relatively cool conditions and intermit- tent rainfall during the growing season resulted in the harvest being 7 – 8 days later than the previous 3 vintages. Overall a very good vintage, albeit that yields were significantly lower.
Average Temperature
14.6 °C
Rainfall
753.8mm
Harvesting
5 March 2018 - 7 March 2018
Origin of Fruit
Elandskloof
Soil Type
Predominantly decomposed shale (greywacke) and quartz
Yield
7ton/ha
Tasting Notes
Bold tropical granadilla- and gooseberry notes tinged with grapefruit and lime zest. Just a vague hint of flint. The entry is bold and assured with crisp, zingy grapefruit and granadilla flavour. Stonefruit succulence then takes over and in turn makes way for a flinty mineral twist. Lovely taut body and structure with good length and breadth and a lingering, soft elderflower finish.
Vintage Notes
Although the drought conditions persisted, ideal weather conditions throughout the growing season and harvest resulted in healthy fruit and small berries with great flavours and exceptional acids.
Average Temperature
15.5°C
Rainfall
550mm
Harvesting
27/02/2017 - 02/03/2017
Origin of Fruit
Elandskloof - Overberg
Soil Type
Tukulu, decomposed shale (Greywacke)
Yield
7ton/ha
Tasting Notes
Aromas of lime curd and grapefruit zest with restrained fig leaf, white pepper and flint nuances. As with the 2015 vintage, the palate is rounded with gentle tangy lime and grapefruit succulence, rather than the more tart, sharp citrus notes typical of the variety. It starts out deceptively simple and then develops into a peacock’s tail where the fruit and a delightful flinty minerality mingle. Long lingering tail. Still young, this wine has lots of life in it and will reward some ageing.
Vintage Notes
Warmer, drier conditions than usual between March and November with below average rainfall. Acid levels were slightly lower due to the warmer conditions. The vineyards again delivered fruit of exceptional purity and flavour, so unique to this site.
Average Temperature
15.3°C
Rainfall
March 2015 - March 2016 = 978mm
Harvesting
25/02/2016 - 03/03/2016
Origin of Fruit
Elandskloof - Overberg
Soil Type
Tukulu. Decomposed shale (grouwrakke)
Yield
8.4 ton/ha
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