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THE POPULAR PROFESSOR BLACK RETURNS
The third release of Warwick’s Professor Black Sauvignon Blanc
is here with the new 2004 vintage. This charismatic wine has quickly become
a favourite from coast to coast, with impressed tasters enjoying its balance
of freshness and flavour
The grapes for Professor Black come from a specific site on Warwick Estate
that the highly-esteemed Professor Black, horticulturist at the University
of Stellenbosch, used to plant pear trees in years gone by. These were
not just any pear trees however, but a hybrid that the Prof himself created
and was later named after him.
This terroir’s promise for Sauvignon Blanc of exceptional character
was subsequently realised and this wine was made in Professor Black’s
honour. The grapes were harvested at different levels of ripeness and
fruit character to ensure maximum fruitiness. The juice was then handled
reductively throughout the winemaking process and fermented very cold
in specially designed stainless steel tanks. After fermentation, the wine
was kept on the gross lees for three months, blended and finally bottled
in June 2004
The winemaker, Louis Nel, comments that the wine “shows an abundance
of tropical fruit, gooseberry, mango and green fig flavours on the nose
that carry through to the palate, which is rich and fruity with well-balanced
acid; while the aftertaste is long and lingering with enough fruit to
make you come back for more.”
Jean’s Thoughts
This is a democratic and endlessly interesting sauvignon because it incorporates
much of the sauvignon flavour spectrum: from tropical fruits to racy,
flinty notes. It's diversity of flavour makes it very versatile - a good
drink on its own and great for light dishes. Prof Black studied fruit
trees and there is a type of pear named after him - so it's appropriate
that pear notes feature in the wine!
Brendon’s Thoughts
Another "stunner" from Warwick. This very rich sauvignon blanc
has very prominent flavours of gooseberry, mango and fig. Lovely lingering
after taste. Drink it with fresh oysters, fish and salads. A superb wine
for this summer, it tastes like "more".
R140.00 per bottle
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