"The name, Circle of Life, reflects the renewal of nature. I regard the vine as a perfect expression of nature's ability to renew itself every year and its annual cycle a metaphor for birth, production, death and rebirth once again at the advent of a new season," shares Waterkloof winemaker Werner Engelbrecht.
"Our focus over the last six years has always been to gain a better understanding of Waterkloof and the individual characteristics of its vineyards. We discovered that vineyards from different parts on the farm produced wines that were stylistically very different," he adds.
Rather than pursuing a certain style, such as a Bordeaux blend, or a selection from a specific vineyard, Engelbrecht and his team crafted a wine that they feel represents the totality of Waterkloof.
The wines making up the blend were vinified separately and aged on their primary lees for ten months prior to blending, with some of the components (60% of the blend) aged in old oak barrels. The vintage is expected to improve and become more complex with age.
Waterkloof Circle of Life White 2009 has an alluring green tinge, revealing delicate flavours of melon and hints of tropical fruit. Try this sterling wine with sashimi of tuna rolled in biltong spices with smoked potato gnocchi and glazed onion juice or Red Stumpnose in a bread crust with risotto-style potato.
Retailing from R140 per bottle, the Circle of Life White 2009 is available directly from the cellar or at selected fine wine outlets countrywide.
