Hartenberg Estate Stellenbosch Riesling
Hartenberg Estate Riesling made its mark once again as one of South Africa’s top Rieslings by clinching a Gold medal at the 2012 Veritas Awards, the country’s biggest and most prestigious wine competition.
Enchanting local and international judges alike with its delicate floral hints and spicy richness, this is the second Gold medal this year for the delicately aromatic Hartenberg Estate Riesling 2010.
The wine also won Gold at the prestigious 2012 Les Grands Concours du Monde in Strasbourg, France.
The award winning Hartenberg 2010 vintage is the latest in a long line of acclaimed Rieslings crafted by celebrated winemaker Carl Schultz whose previous 2009 vintage also struck Gold at the 2011 Veritas Awards and the 2011 Five Nations Challenge in Australia.
A Museum Class Trophy for the 1999 vintage at the 2010 Old Mutual Trophy Wine Show, attests to the great ageing potential of Hartenberg Rieslings, which continue to improve for decades when matured under optimal conditions.
What made the 2010 Riesling vintage particularly special at Hartenberg Estate, was the presence of Botrytis in 25% of the grapes, lending wonderful layers of richness and complexity to the wine.
At the first encounter, delicate floral hints with spicy richness envelope the senses. On the palate, the wine shows layers of soft summer fruits finishing off with a lovely tropical zestiness.
"One of the most versatile of wines imparting immense, concentrated flavours with a wonderful velvety mouthfeel and a fine balance between the fruit and acidy, this is a quality wine that offers great value and food pairing possibilities,” says Carl, for whom a fine Riesling is one of life’s sublime pleasures, be they local or foreign.
As South Africa’s biggest wine competition, the Veritas Awards has set the benchmark for quality market ready wines for more than two decades. This year 1 744 wines and brandies were rated by an authoritative line-up of international judges, joined by local specialists.
Hartenberg Riesling 2010 is available at leading wine outlets and fine dining establishments and sells at the cellar door at R60 per bottle and can be enjoyed thoroughly with smoked trout terrine and Thai inspired foods as well as spicy local favourites such as bobotie and peri-peri chicken livers.
Hartenberg Estate is situated on the Bottelary Road off the R304 to Stellenbosch.
Open for tastings, picnic lunches and wetland walks from Mondays to Saturdays. Cellar tours are by appointment only. Contact Tel: (+27)21-8652541, Email: info@hartenbergestate.com or visit www.hartenbergestate.com
