Full

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South Africa

There’s nowhere quite like Springfontein. This is a limestone estate (extremely unusual in the Cape), close to the Klein River and its associated mountains. It lies about half an hour inland from Hermanus in the Walker Bay area, but is more exposed to the sea breezes than the Hemel-en-Aarde vineyards. The estate was created by German engineer Johst Weber on near-virgin land, agriculturally abandoned for nearly a century. He first heard about Springfontein via a small advert in Decanter magazine!

For the last seven vintages the winemaker has been the experienced but fiercely inquisitive Zimbabwean Tariro Masayiti, aided by viticulturist Hildegard Witbooi and now Johst’s partner Jeanne Vito, an entrepreneurial Frenchwoman with extensive Japanese experience who is also establishing a vineyard in Togo. It all adds up to a highly creative mix. There have been setbacks along the way, and not every wine is equally successful, but they are all packed with interest. 

This Cape blend (an informal term meaning a blend based on 30-70% Pinotage) combines 59% Pinotage with 21% Petit Verdot and 20% Shiraz, the latter part-dried on the vine. All three varieties were barrel-fermented, the Shiraz as whole-bunch, while the other two varieties were destemmed and cold-macerated in open barrels. Rich, dark fruits mingle with earth, plant and some peaty notes, while the palate has deep-pile yet finally velvety textures and vivid, brightly defined acidity. The plum and elder fruits command the palate, though some of that smoky complexity creeps in towards the end. 'A lot of people are afraid of skin maceration for Pinotage,' says Tariro. 'I look at the skins and see terroir. That’s where you find the terroir.'

Petit Verdot

Pinotage

Syrah / Shiraz

Springfontein, Limestone Rocks Whole Lotta Love, Walker Bay, South Africa, 2015

Springfontein,-Limestone-Rocks-Whole-Lotta-Love,-Walker-Bay-2015.jpg

There’s nowhere quite like Springfontein. This is a limestone estate (extremely unusual in the Cape), close to the Klein River a

Springfontein, Limestone Rocks Whole Lotta Love, Walker Bay 2015

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