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Wine Tasting Adventure

2025 Excelsior, Robertson Sauvignon Blanc - Liberty

£9.49 GBP
£9.49 GBP

The De Wet family has owned Excelsior Estate, in the Western Cape town of Robertson, since 1859. Though the estate has had various incarnations, including ostrich farming and racehorse rearing, it has always been used for vine growing. Freddie De Wet and his sons Peter and Jacques now run the 220-hectare estate focused on the ‘big five’ varieties, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz. Robertson is located 100 kilometres east of Cape Town, where, although the climate is hotter, it is moderated by sea breezes and the Breede River. The diurnal temperature differences allow for slow ripening and retention of the primary fruit aromatics and bright acidity.

Excelsior is unique for such a large estate, as all the grapes are hand-harvested, providing many jobs for the local community. As a result, they have the Wine Industry Ethical Trade Association’s (WIETA) Fair Labour Practice seal and are also Integrity and Sustainability Certified by the Wine and Spirit Board. Both are voluntary accreditations that adhere to strict codes of conduct.

The Sauvignon Blanc is fermented in stainless steel tanks and aged for two months on its lees to give the wine a touch of richness. It is a classic South African Sauvignon Blanc, zesty with hints of passionfruit, grapefruit, and gooseberry.

The Merlot is supple and juicy, with notes of black plum and baking spice. 45% was aged in a combination of French and American oak for six months to give spice and structure. A proportion of the Cabernet Sauvignon is aged for nine months in French and American oak, enhancing its blackcurrant fruit, spice, and fine, firm tannins. Notes of blackberry, fruit cake and bright acidity define the Shiraz, 30% of which is aged in a combination of French and American oak for eight months. The Excelsior wines are vibrant and fruit-forward, making them approachable to drink with or without food.

For years the Excelsior land was grazed by thoroughbred horses, the limestone rich soils thought to provide them with a source of calcium through the vegetation they consumed. This limestone content has proven to be beneficial for grape growing; the grapes grown here display greater spice notes in reds and fresher acidity in whites, than is typical in the Robertson region. The Sauvignon Blanc comes from three different vineyards. The early picked component is from low altitude alluvial soils, producing herbal wines with high acidity. The second component is from high altitude vineyards, 400 metres above sea level on decomposed sandstone. This wine has a mineral and green apple character. The last component comes from limestone, clay rich soils which add ripe tropical characters and body to the wine.

The 2025 vintage started with very cold temperatures and adequate rainfall. The spring was dry and cool, but fortunately frost free. These conditions lead to very healthy grape growth, and the exceptionally dry summer aided ripening. The grapes were harvested a week later that usual, but the grapes were exceptionally clean and of a high quality.

Grapes were harvested by hand during the coolest part of the day for greater quality control. Skin contact was maintained for three hours, after which the grapes were carefully pressed in order to avoid any bitter phenolics. The wine was then cold fermented for three weeks at temperatures of12-15°C. The wine was then matured on the lees for two months prior to bottling.

This wine is pale yellow in colour, with youthful hints. On the nose, there are concentrated aromas of passion fruit, grapefruit, fig and some fresh herb characteristics. The palate is full of tropical fruit, with bright and zesty acidity.