New vintages from Hoopenburg Wines

Hoopenburg, owned by the Schmitz family from Germany, is unique in that it is the only wine estate in South Africa where 100 percent of the vineyard comprises bush vines. "Being planted to bush vines, our vineyards are naturally controlled to have yields of below 6 tons per hectare. Nourished by pure underground water, our unique dry-land bush-vine vineyards produce grapes of exceptional taste and flavour. All our grapes are hand-picked and sorted so we extract only the best juice and in the cellar our aim is to capture and enhance the grapes' natural potential," said Anton Beukes, GM and cellarmaster of Hoopenburg.

The Hoopenburg team, following and believing in the principle of environmentally-friendly farming, has converted its chardonnay and shiraz vineyards to organically grown blocks and the rest of Hoopenburg is farmed according to South Africa's IPW Scheme (Integrated Production of Wine).

Hoopenburg Chardonnay 2009

The pinnacle Integer range production is very small, with each label reflecting the number of barrels produced. The wines are elegantly packaged, with distinctive, stylish labels designed by Anthony Lane.

The new vintage, Integer Chardonnay 2009, is a rich, seductive, elegant Chardonnay with an enviable pedigree: previous vintages having been honoured with a whole series of prestigious accolades, some of which are:

• Four-and-a-half stars in Platter's SA Wine Guide for the 2008, 2007 and 2006 vintages and two nominations for Platter's five stars
  
• Double Gold at the 2010 Michelangelo International Wine Awards (for the 2007 Integer Chardonnay)
  
• Best White Wine Trophy at the 2010 Santam Classic Wine Trophy competition (for the 2006 Integer Chardonnay)
  
• Wine-of-the-Month Club Best Chardonnay of the Year in 2009 (for the 2006 Integer Chardonnay)
  
• Gold medal at the 2007 International Wine Challenge in London (for the 2005 Integer Chardonnay).

The fruit for this Chardonnay comes from one of the oldest Chardonnay bush-vine blocks on the farm. Two pickings were done for this vintage - a quarter of the crop at 22° Balling and the balance at 23.5° Balling. The grapes were whole-bunch pressed and settled naturally overnight before being transferred to French oak for fermentation. Once completed, the wine was aged on full-ferment lees for 12 months with no malolactic, minimal batonnage and no racking. Careful barrel selection made up the blend: 35 percent new, 30 percent second fill and 35 percent third fill.

The 2009 Hoopenburg Integer Chardonnay is a feat of rich flavour concentration, layered complexity and incredible length. The nose beguiles with fresh lemon and citrus blossom as well as wafts of nutmeg and almonds and a touch of lime. On the palate, the buttery richness is beautifully balanced with citric zestiness and well-integrated oak. The Hoopenburg Integer Chardonnay pairs perfectly with salmon, calamari and crayfish and is delicious with brie and camembert cheese.

The 2009 Hoopenburg Integer Chardonnay retails nationally for approximately R90.

Hoopenburg Pinot Noir 2009

The Hoopenburg estate range of single cultivar wines, produced from low-yielding bush vines, prides itself on capturing the typical flavours and fruit of each varietal. The wine label, designed by Anthony Lane, reflects the panoramic view one can see when working in the vineyards.

The Hoopenburg Pinot Noir 2009 is produced from a three-hectare block of 14-year-old bush vines next to the cellar. There were two pickings in 2009, one at 22° Balling (50 percent) and the balance at 23.5° Balling. Both of these pickings took place before the summer heatwaves, thus preserving the freshness of the grapes. The fragile pinot noir berries were gently handled and fermented for 13 days on the skins. The wine was then pressed and laid down to rest in French oak barrels for 12 months. No fining occurred and a very coarse filtration was done, so as not to damage the fruit.

The Hoopenburg Pinot Noir 2009, a classic pinot noir, reveals plums and mulberries with an earthy forest floor character, vanilla undertones and hints of spice and pepper. The wine is elegant and harmonious with firm but ripe tannins. It is an ideal companion to game and lamb dishes - Anton suggests springbok with blueberry sauce - and it is a sheer delight on its own.

The 2009 Hoopenburg Pinot Noir retails nationally between R90 and R95.

The Guru Merlot 2008

The Guru is an easily accessible, uncomplicated range of wines. The packaging is modern and distinctive with a whole range of fun "did you know?" information on the back label.

The Guru Merlot 2008 is produced from bush vines on Hoopenburg's 35-hectare farm. The wine was aged for 12 months in French oak barrels.

The Guru Merlot 2008 has an intense nose of prunes and black olives, and a medium-bodied palate with soft, round, lingering tannins. "Maybe it is the subtle olive flavour of The Guru Merlot that inspires me to enjoy it with a Caesar salad, fresh ciabatta and extra virgin olive oil. Another favourite of mine would be crab curry," said Anton Beukes.

The Guru Merlot 2008 retails nationally at approximately R39.

Hoopenburg is part of the Stellenbosch Wine Route and is situated on the Old Paarl Road (R101), 4km from the N1 and only 30 minutes from Cape Town.

The estate is open for wine tasting Monday to Friday, tel: +27 (0)21 884 4221 or email moc.grubnepooh@notna.