Overgaauw Estate Stellenbosch Sylvaner 2001 87 Points

Overgaauw Estate Stellenbosch Sylvaner 2001 87 Points


Clear, bright, straw with gold reflections, low plus concentration and medium minus viscosity, no sediment.

Clean with medium plus intensity, cheesy rind, pithy, lemon zest, honeyed with some dried floral note, sandy / salty mineral, no oak.

Dry, though release as an off dry wine, it seems the sugar have been "consumed" over the years and feels much dryer, when compare to as a newly release wine, medium acidity, medium alcohol still very focus with dried stone fruit, peach pip, nutty nougat profile, finishes on a peppery, spicy straw note.

Testament that South African white wine can aged if cellared under optimum conditions, now until 2016!

It's the only Sylvaner produce in South Africa, and having had the priviled to taste quite a few vertical with most of the 80's vintages, it surprisingly ages very well, and oddity for sure on a wine list and do not expect it to fly, or sales to be a great as Sauvignon Blanc, it's very much a hand sell style or paired with some light fares / daily specials, but nevertheless Overgaauw Stellenbosch Sylvaner have it's place on any well respected local winelists and should be supported by all means, the other bonus is it's relatively medium bodied / alcohol, perfect at lunchtime.

However it is relevant to stress, there is very little similarity with the Alsacian version, which seem to be oilier, richer and more complex with more linearity, the Stellenbosch version is a true interpretation of growing under a sunny and warm climate!