Technical Analysis
Blanc de Mer is an unusual blend from the Cape where Riesling is virtually unknown as a blending partner; this is a wine with a lot of personality.
Tasting note
Lifted and perfumed in style. Striking rosewater, tangerine and orange blossom flow from the glass. The complex and layered palate reveal fresh-cut apple, dried apricot and pickled ginger, flanked by subtle sea salt. Supple, yet refreshing with a well balanced finish. Expect the wine to build a textural element, as the Riesling component finds its voice. The 2024 blend consists of 67% Riesling, 19% Viognier and 14% Chardonnay
Vintage conditions
Good rainfall was received during winter, but unfortunately wet conditions continued into the growing season – the cumulative summer precipitation nearly equalling the annual average. On Heritage weekend of 24 September, historic maximum rainfall data was revised when a massive 196mm event caused devastating flooding and landslides across the region. Wet and windy conditions prevailed during flower, reducing yields on most cultivars. Fortunately, the inclement weather dissipated before the onset of harvest, allowing ripeness to progress unhindered on the small and concentrated crop. Picking started in the second week of February, but in a very congested fashion, as ripening of various cultivars converged towards the first week of March.
Vinification details
While estate-grown Riesling forms the majority of this unique blend, Viognier from a well-established vineyard in Paarl made another appearance. The fruit arrived ripe and healthy – beautifully complementing the steely acidity of our own grapes. All bunches were fully destemmed before pressing and were allowed a cool fermentation in stainless steel. A portion of whole-bunch pressed Chardonnay, also seeing no oak, completed the blend. The wine was bottled in June 2024.
Tasting video
With winemaker Chris Albrecht.
Technical Analysis
Blanc de Mer is an unusual blend from the Cape where Riesling is virtually unknown as a blending partner; this is a wine with a lot of personality.
Tasting note
Upon opening a bottle, exotic aromas of white peach, dried apricots and jasmine fill the nose. Floral and aromatic, the wine extends to form an impression of pineapple flesh, syrupy green figs, quince. An energetic acidity profile is well balanced and completed by a rich palate of fruity sweetness. The experience is enticing and rounded, with a focussed finish driven by saline elements. The 2023 blend consists of 52% Riesling, 29% Viognier and 19% Chardonnay
Vintage conditions
Moderate and mild winter weather was experienced with an average rainfall, which continued into spring and early summer. These conditions, ideal for slow and even ripening, were interrupted during the middle of December, with the arrival of some refreshing showers. January saw a continuation of dry, cool conditions, coinciding neatly with an earlier maturity of those cultivars that usually ripen first. During the third week of February however, a massive 80mm downpour set the tone for the rest of the vintage. By the last day of picking, 240mm had fallen since the start of harvest. Rigorous selection of only the ripe and healthy bunches proved critical. Most vineyards cropped lower than the long-term average, largely due to adverse flowering conditions.
Vinification details
All bunches were fully destemmed before pressing and were allowed a cool fermentation in stainless steel. A portion of whole-bunch pressed Chardonnay, also seeing no oak, completed the blend. The wine was bottled in June 2023.
Tasting video
With winemaker Chris Albrecht.
Technical Analysis
Blanc de Mer is an unusual blend from the Cape where Riesling is virtually unknown as a blending partner; this is a wine with a lot of personality.
Tasting note
Typical youthful floral aromas precede a tight, vertically focussed palate. Flinty and mouth-watering acidity slices through delicious bright pineapple and nectar flavours, enlivening the senses. It will take time for the characteristic wet stone and kerosene details of Riesling to develop in the bottle. The 2021 blend consists of Riesling, Viognier, Chardonnay and Sauvignon.
Vintage conditions
It’s been remarked before how the weather, during recent odd vintages, seems to behave to the benefit of local vintners. 2021 followed this pattern of 2019, 2017 and 2015. Yields varied significantly between cultivars and apart from a big rain event on 14 March, dry and cool conditions prevailed during picking. Phenolic ripeness out performed sugar accumulation in the berries, resulting in juices with low potential alcohol and balanced natural acidities.
Vinification details
Before pressing, all grapes are destemmed and fermented in a cool environment without oak. Sauvignon Blanc makes a return to the blend, mostly for aromatic diversity and palate refreshment.
Tasting video
With winemaker Chris Albrecht.
Technical Analysis
Blanc de Mer is an unusual blend from the Cape where Riesling is virtually unknown as a blending partner; this is a wine with a lot of personality.
Tasting note
Delicate peach and floral flavours are in perfect harmony with citrus-infused waxy fullness. The wine flows easily from a bright and clean entry to the long, tangy finish. Invigorating acidity gives structure to well-rounded mid-palate. Great now, but will develop additional complexity. Blend of Riesling, Viognier & Chardonnay
Vintage conditions
Spring 2019 saw ideal weather conditions during flower and fruit set, heightening expectations for the upcoming vintage. However, hopes were soon challenged by the atypical and unstable weather presented early in the New Year. Fortunately, dry conditions set in as soon as harvest commenced, with the crop remaining healthy. Volumes recovered slightly from the light 2019 vintage and all-round, unexpectedly positive, fruit-quality was delivered to the cellar.
Vinification details
The clean, racy lines of Weisser Riesling, in combination with a perfumed and viscous presence of Viognier are the components of choice. Both components are fermented cool and matured separately in steel tanks, until blended in unison, with the mediating role of Chardonnay
Tasting video
With winemaker Chris Albrecht.
Technical Analysis
Blanc de Mer is an unusual blend from the Cape where Riesling is virtually unknown as a blending partner; this is a wine with a lot of personality.
Tasting note
An enticing blend consisting of 69% Riesling, 20% Viognier, 9% Chardonnay and 2% Sauvignon Blanc creating wave upon wave of refreshing pineapple and apricot fruit purity, packed with floral perfume. Silken richness and elegance combine to entice the senses. A lemony persistence, with saline highlights, makes for an appealing finish. Great now, but will develop additional complexity.
Vintage conditions
Vintage 2019 will long be remembered for the raging wild fire that swept across the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley on 11th January – less than three weeks before the first grapes were picked. Bouchard were fortunate not to be majorly impacted and brought in a healthy, yet slightly lighter crop. The reduced yield was the result of milder than normal winter temperatures. Weather conditions remained cool and relatively dry throughout February and March.
Vinification details
Harvested with a focus on vibrant freshness, the Riesling vineyards lay a linear foundation for the eventual blend. As a counter-point, Viognier from an elevated Elgin site is permitted to ripen fully – to the point where this cultivar develops its characteristic floral fragrance. Both components were fermented cool and matured separately in steel tanks, until blended in unison, with the mediating role of Chardonnay.
Tasting video
With winemaker Chris Albrecht.
Technical Analysis
Blanc de Mer is an unusual blend from the Cape where Riesling is virtually unknown as a blending partner; this is a wine with a lot of personality.
Tasting note
Hints of quince, apricot and almonds with a comforting creamy middle and a bold seamless surround. Fresh and vibrant, with a convincing strength and quality finish. A blend of 65% Riesling, 18% Chardonnay, 16% Viognier and 1% Sauvignon Blanc.
Vintage conditions
Vintage 2018 commenced on 8th February. Fruit quality proved to be excellent and cropping levels were encouraging, this in spite of drought conditions being the talk of the day. Fortunately the Hemel-en-Aarde region is blessed with a distinctive micro-climate which defied the predictors of poor expectations. The few rain showers received during the vintage was a positive experience and added to the calibre of the vintage.
Vinification details
The grapes were lightly pressed and clear juice was fermented cold, where the eventual wine was left to evolve on the primary lees until blended and prepared for bottling.
Tasting video
With winemaker Chris Albrecht.
