It’s quite rare that I ever come across a white blend, it’s not a very popular wine choice for most, so when I heard that Glen Carlo has launched a white blend, I got excited! It’s a blend of Sauvignon Blanc (36%), Semillon (34%) and Chardonnay (30%) for R310 a bottle. So why so expensive for white wine? The 3 grape varieties were fermented naturally and separately in 225 litre French Oak barrels. After fermentation the wines were blended and transferred back to barrel for 9 months.
Glen Carlou White Blend Tasting notes:
The Sauvignon Blanc component (36%) enriches the blend with aromas of gooseberry and a strong mineral core; Chardonnay (34%) adds texture and density with Semillon (30%) revealing provocative floral, white pear and citrus blossom notes.
The smooth textured core combines racy acidity and generous fruit flavours enriched by fermentation and ageing in wood. When lightly chilled the creamy oak vanillins come to the fore revealing spice and floral characteristics. The abundant layering of flavours and refined structure renders it an excellent wine to pair with food. A seamless wine where the components are in perfect balance
Cellarmaster, Johnnie Calitz
Under Cellarmaster Johnnie Calitz’s ever-watchful eye natural ferments add a different element and profile to the wine. These form the building blocks of the all-important alcohol fermentation process, which merge in a truly interesting wine. Each of the three varieties used to create the Collection White Blend mingle seamlessly to create a powerful and inimitable blend.
In the vineyard:
The Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon grapes were sourced from dryland bush vines in the Groenekloof ward of Darling, whilst the Chardonnay grapes come from Glen Carlou’s Simonsberg vineyard block. The Sauvignon Blanc component enriches the blend with aromas of gooseberry and a strong mineral core; the Chardonnay adds texture and density, as the Semillon reveals provocative floral, white pear and citrus blossom notes.
Buy this wine:
Glen Carlou The Collection White Blend 2020 is available directly from the estate or via their online wine shop at R310 per bottle. For more information visit www.glencarlou.com.
*photo provided The Little Hedonist.
