KWV The Mentors Elgin Viognier 2011 91 Points

www.kwv-wines.com

2011 vintage shows a change of ward origin, with Viognier now being sourced from Elgin district, vs 2009 who was Paarl, a clear indication of the commitment of KWV winemaking team, lead by Richard Rowe, in their quest to sourced some of South Africa's finest fruit from moderate climate areas.


Clear, day bright, pale with slight green rim, some co2, medium concentration and medium viscosity.

Clean, medium plus intensity, stone fruits such as white peaches, just ripe apricot, papaya, pebbles, celery salt, hints of nougat and honey, jasmine, sweet spices such as cardamon and fenugreek, subtly oaked (60% for 8 months in second and third fill French Oak barrels, combination of 300 and 500 litre barrels) with brush of cedar wood, complex and layered.

Dry with brush of residual sugar (3.5g/l), yet feels crisp, medium plus acidity (6.82g/l), fresh, (very good pH of 3.06, here once again, hallmarks of recents vintages of KWV Wines across the ranges) elegant, juicy, Moirs lime jelly note,  salty minerals, a certain firmess, good fruit concentration (8t/ha), medium plus alcohol (13.5%), long lenght, athletic, linear style for a South African Viognier, very well balanced, medium plus complexity, long lenght.Good typicity.

Total production of 2800 bottles,  minuscule indeed, but worth every single drops! Now until 2020+

Paired with duck dishes, either it be a duck liver pate, duck confit or a pan seared rare duck breast with 5 spices, it's going to rock the senses!