Cape Point Vineyards, Cape Town Isliedh

A rich, saline and beautifully textured blend with floral notes and ripe nectarine, pink grapefruit, fig and lemon curd leaping from the glass unveiling a harmonious blend. Complex, with a classic, long-lasting mineral finish.

Producer Note

Sauvignon Blanc specialist, Cape Point Vineyards sits among the picturesque hills and valleys in Noordhoek; land that was first discovered by the Portuguese navigator, Bartolomeu Diaz, who was swept past the Cape in a violent storm in 1488. The land was subsequently cultivated by the Dutch who landed at the Cape in 1652. Just over a century later, in 1997, Sybrand van der Spuy planted new vines in the same spot. Following extensive soil and climatic analyses, the first Sauvignon Blanc vines were pushing their roots into the soils of their new home against the south-facing slopes of Constantiaberg Mountain. Thus, Cape Point Vineyards was born. In 1998, the establishment of Cape Point Vineyards also prompted the declaration of the new Cape Point Wine of Origin District and is the only winery in this entire district. Sustainably certified by IPW, this magnificent estate, with proximity to two oceans, inspires Head Winemaker Riandri Visser, who produces stunning Sauvignon Blanc wines of distinction.

Vineyard

Only the best vines on the estate are used in the Isliedh blend. The estate is positioned on the narrow Cape Peninsula, where the confluence of sea breezes from the cold Atlantic Ocean, less than one mile away, and the south-easterly breezes from False Bay, create ideal conditions for the slow ripening of grapes. The breezes, along with good canopy management, help to keep the vines healthy and diseases at bay, reducing the need for treatments. When the winds are strong, they also control the vine’s vigour and encourage a second suckering. The Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon grapes for the Isliedh wine are hand-selected from two specific vineyard parcels, facing the toughest conditions on the sea-facing mountain slope of the estate. Here, the severe winds and rocky, decomposed granite soils result in tiny bunches packed with wonderful complexity and signature mineral quality. The grapes are carefully hand-harvested.

Winemaking

Isliedh is a remarkable combination of coastal Cape Sauvignon Blanc drenched in richly textured Semillon. The grapes were 100% barrel-fermented with wild, natural yeasts, followed by maturation on the fine fermentation lees for 16 months, in old French Oak.

Tasting Note

A rich, saline and beautifully textured blend with floral notes and ripe nectarine, pink grapefruit, fig and lemon curd leaping from the glass unveiling a harmonious blend. Complex, with a classic, long-lasting mineral finish.

Grape

Sauvignon Blanc 70%, Semillon 20%, Sauvignon Gris 10%