Springfield Estate, Life from Stone Sauvignon Blanc 2013, South Africa
How nice it is to meet up with an old and dear friend, and so it is with the excellent Sauvignon Blanc from the Bruwer family in South Africa’s hot Roberston area. It’s a couple of vintages
since I’ve tasted this wine, and yet it has always been a huge favourite of mine, and had been for years when I visited the estate way back in 2002 and saw the Life From Stone vineyard for myself,
a rocky, barren place that lives up to its billing perfectly. Immediately vivacious and vibrant on the nose, exotic fruit floods from the glass: mango and lychee, ripe nectarine and mandarin orange, all streaked with a touch of grassiness and nettle. On the palate that bountiful fruit-bowl of flavours fills the mouth, but there’s such a beautifully judged core of grapefruit and salty minerality that it is never simple, never cloying, but superbly defined and balanced into a long finish. Watch the video for more information and food matching suggestions. It’s widely available through independent
merchants, but cheapest at time of writing is £9.95, from both The Wine Society and SAwinesonline.