As a young boy, I spent hours listening to the anecdotes of an old man who we affectionately called Oom Pagel (Uncle Pagel). He was a handsome man with a drooping moustache, a descendent of the Malay slaves brought to the Cape by the Dutch. I was fascinated by his stories which spanned a century of the life and times at Fairview. These stories instilled in me a love of the land and a respect for the people who worked it. Between all these stories, Oom Pagel still found time to grow champion vegetables. Oom Pagel’s 12 children were born at Fairview, and a number of his grand and great-grand children live and work with us today. Semillon was Oom Pagel’s favourite grape, so it is fitting that we honour him with this wine.
Charles Back
IN THE VINEYARD
The fruit for the 2009 vintage was all harvested from our vineyards near Darling, on the west coast. Planted in 2004, this bushvine vineyard is on deep red oakleaf soils and is not irrigated.
HARVEST DATE
2nd March 2009
WINEMAKING
The bunches were picked at 24.8° balling and whole bunch pressed. Half of the juice was fermented in French oak barrels – mainly 2nd and third fill. The remainder was fermented in stainless steel tanks. After fermentation and eight months lees contact, the wine was blended and returned to its lees in tank for a further four months prior to being bottled.
WINEMAKER’S COMMENTS
In 2008 we did not produce an Oom Pagel as the vintage did not warrant it, however in 2009 we had an exceptional harvest and were again able to make our delicately flavoured limited release Semillon. We chose a slightly different oaking regime for this wine, to more closely suit the quality of the fruit. This wine will benefit from some time in the bottle. Anthony de Jager
TASTING NOTE
Pale colour with hints of green gold. The nose reveals the origin of the grapes, with aromas of fresh herbs, citrus and distinct minerality. Lemon and grapefruit continue to the palate, accompanied by initial oak spice and lingering sweet fruit. The palate is of pleasant weight with a careful balance between richness and zesty acidity.
WINE ANALYSIS:
Wine of Origin Darling
Alcohol 13.86%
Residual Sugar 2.4g/l
Total Acid 5.9g/l
pH 3.50
Do you like this? Share It!
Post comment
