Elgin Ridge 282 Sauvignon Blanc 2018

Elgin Ridge 282 Sauvignon Blanc, biodynamic Sauvignon Blanc, part barrel fermented and aged, rich and soft with freshness green apples and zingy acid to balance the creamy texture. A fabulous wine of outstanding value. Brian Smith is achieving the near impossible of making biodynamic Sauvignon in SA that tastes amazing and is sourced from fruit on his own small farm. The flavours are deep and complex, the balance is excellent and the Sauvignon Blanc crispness is beautifully interwoven with oak. The yields are low and so the abv is high but you don’t taste or feel it. An authentic and well crafted biodynamic Sauvignon Blanc at £13.95, I must be dreaming!

The 2016 ‘282’ Sauvignon Blanc, so named due to the apparent ideal elevation to create cool-climate Sauvignon Blanc in the Eglin Valley, actually goes a long way toward proving that point. It has a wonderful nose of freshly sliced pear, melon, gooseberry and subtle tropical aromas. Those are replicated on the palate, which is fresh, well balanced and offers enticing gooseberry, nectarine, satsuma and mandarin notes. This is a top-notch Elgin Sauvignon that is drinking beautifully now, but should give four or five years of drinking pleasure.

Neil Martin, www.vinous.com

Marion and Brian Smith sold their business in the UK, and after scouring the wine regions of Europe for the perfect place to buy a property, ended up finding it here in Elgin.

Their small farm is planted to Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir… and some apples. Their intention is to keep things small and focused at Elgin Ridge, using no chemicals and letting the ducks (which they hatch on the farm, and hence feature in their label) play a prominent role in pest control. Organic certification has been acquired and The Elgin Valley is one the South Africa’s ideal wine-growing regions for many reasons: A unique confluence of diverse micro-climates with close proximity to the Atlantic Ocean; cooling cloud cover and high altitude and cold winters and adequate rainfall with complex, ancient soils. Grapes in Elgin take longer to ripen on the vines, which means low pH, good natural acidity and perfectly balanced ripe flavours. Very dry Sauvignon (about 2g/l RS), crisp, clean and fresh, with that trademark Elgin minerality. Brian has continued to work tirelessley to develop his retirement project, in fact, he says he has never worked harder although now into his 60s. He has gained Biodynamic certification in 2016 and with the help of friends like Niels Verburg, he is continuing to raise the quality of his wines with every passing year despite the challenging conditions not least 3 years of drought! A real testament to drive and commitment from an Englishman!