Fairview was the first in South Africa to plant and bottle Viognier and have now been producing this wine for over 10 years. With gentle oaking and careful site selection, our winemakers look to emphasize the complex fruit flavours and fragrance that characterise Viognier.
IN THE VINEYARD:
The fruit is sourced from two farms – primarily from our vineyards at Fairview and from the Primo farm in Agter-Paarl. The trellised Fairview vines grow on the slopes of Paarl mountain, on decomposed granite soils. The Primo farm is on Glenrosa soils, and vines are trellised and unirrigated.
HARVEST DATES:
Primo in Agter-Paarl – 6 February 2009
Fairview in Paarl – 2nd week of February 2009
WINEMAKING:
The grapes were picked ripe, once the skin changed to a slight yellow colour on the shoulder of the bunch. At this stage the rather firm Viognier tannins are riper and less astringent. The grapes were picked early morning and whole bunch pressed. Once settled, the juice was fermented in a combination of 10% new French oak, 40% 2nd and 3rd fill French oak, and 50% in stainless steel tanks. After fermentation, the wine was left sur lie for ten months, with fortnightly battonage. Limited malolactic fermentation occurs naturally in the barrel component during this time, but this is no more than 15%. The wine is then blended and prepared for bottling.
TASTING NOTE:
Light golden colour. White pear and red apple aromas, with a lovely spiciness. Fragrant marmalade and pear fruit flavours, with good tannin grip and structure on the finish.
WINE ANALYSIS:
WINE OF ORIGIN: Paarl
ALCOHOL: 14.5%
RESIDUAL SUGAR: 3.8g/l
TOTAL ACID: 6.0g/l
pH: 3.38
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One Comment to “Fairview Viognier 2009”
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Jean-Baptiste says:
Amazing wine. I have tried it as I was in Tanzania, and I have to say that it’s one of the best white wine I have drink so far.
Back in France (Paris), I’m searching a way to find some more…
Jean-Baptiste