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Saga Vineyards

2021

Patatsfontein

Steen   |   Montagu - South Africa
Shelf Talker Spec Sheet Wine Label Bottle Image

About

The Patatsfontein Steen is now in its eighth vintage and Reenen, Henk and Fritz finally feel they are really heading in the right direction with the single-vineyard expression of terroir. This wine has risen the ranks of the great Chenin Blancs in South Africa in a very short time. Reenen continues to harness the shrieking acidity and minerality that the Patatsfontein brings at 2,000 feet in elevation in the Keisie Valley of the Klein Karoo. The soils here have a heavy lime base which brings a ‘Burgundy-esque’ finesse to the wine.

The fruit was hand harvested and whole-bunch pressed with full lees directly to old French barriques. The turbid juice is beaten up a lot with battonage early on and fermentation occurs naturally and without any addition, finishing over the course of nearly two weeks. The lees are quite thick and come spring time malolactic fermentation occurs naturally in some (2/3) of the barrels. After 10 months of aging the wine is racked to tank where the wine naturally settles and it was bottled without fining or filtration and a small addition of sulfur.

Stats

  • Grapes: 100% Chenin Blanc
  • Vineyard: Patatsfontein Vineyard
  • Vine Age: 36-years-old
  • Soil Type: Karoo Slate
  • Viticulture: Practicing organic
  • Fermentation: Native – in old 225L French barriques
  • Skin Contact: None
  • Aging: 10 months sur-lie in old 225L French barriques
  • Alcohol: 12.8%
  • pH: 3.3
  • Total Acidity: 5.7 g/L
  • Total SO2: 75 ppm
  • Total Production: 125 cases
  • UPC: 0700083186515

Tasting Note

There is an easy nonchalance about this wine. Beautiful aromas of pear and citrus, followed by an energetic and mineral palate. The finish lingers with a lemon-like acidity and a delicate fabric of peaches and herbs.

Press & Reviews

The WineMag

96

"Pear, peach, citrus and fynbos on the nose while the palate has great poise and energy – it’s a wine that offers great refreshment value but equally is intricate and delicate. An absolute pleasure to drink."

- Christian Eedes

Tim Atkin, MW

95

"Reenen Borman only makes 1,000 bottles of this stunning white, but do your utmost to get hold of one, folks. You can really taste the slate soils and the nearby fynbos on this leesy, chiselled, bone-dry Chenin Blanc. The oak is just a container here. It's all about structure and fruit intensity. 2023-29"

- Tim Atkin, MW

Vinous

92

"The 2021 Patatsfontein Steen comes from a single hectare vineyard plot that only produces 1,500 bottles each year, matured in used oak for 10 months with no lees stirring. Yellow plum, warm slate and light honeysuckle scents emerge on the nose, discrete but complex and involving. The palate is well balanced with a lovely, waxy texture, fine acidity and a dab of spice lingering on the finish. This is pure class."

- Neal Martin
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Producer


Saga Vineyards

Region


Montagu

Country


South Africa

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