STEENBERG VINEYARDS RELEASES INTRIGUING HMS RANGE
Posted on 14. Oct, 2010 by BottlePlatePillow in 1) Bottle News, 4) General News, Steenberg
Steenberg Vineyards in the Constantia Valley launched its brand new Steenberg HMS Range on the 13th of November 2010 at the historical site of the Battle of Muizenberg. Comprising the HMS Rattlesnake Sauvignon Blanc 2010 and the HMS Sphynx Chardonnay 2010, the naming of the duo finds its origin in the fascinating history of the Battle of Muizenberg.
The maritime theme refers to two of the squadron of ten Royal Navy ships that took part in the 1st British Occupation of the Cape. HMS Rattlesnake fired her guns in the legendary battle between the British forces and the VOC (De Vereenigde Ost-Indische Compagne) on Sunday, the 7th of August 1795, while HMS Sphynx lay at anchor in Simon’s Bay. It also ties in with the history of Steenberg in that much of the action took place around this coastal area and inland, encompassing what is today known as Sandvlei, Retreat, Wynberg and Muizenberg. Skirmishes took place where the Steenberg vineyards now grow.
JD Pretorius
The Battle of Muizenberg was fought by a 1600 strong British army, all on foot and lightly armed with swords, knives, muskets, bayonets and pistols. Offshore from the soldiers, a Royal Navy detachment of four ships cruised slowly along the shore, with sails hoisted just enough to keep pace with the men. Included in the naval force was the 16-gun sloop HMS Rattlesnake. At Kalk Bay, the VOC had established a picquet of one cannon, designed to delay the attacking force. It took only a single shot from HMS America to cause the VOC gunners to abandon their gun. At Muizenberg a sturdier defence was mounted by the Dutch, but being bombarded by a naval force firing 80 guns was more than the Dutch could cope with. The skirmish only lasted a few hours, being fought from 2pm until sunset, arguably the shortest recorded battle in our history. The continuation of this British campaign against the VOC ended five weeks later with the surrender of the Cape to the British.
Blended by winemaker JD Pretorius with grapes sourced from Robertson, Darling, Constantia, and from Steenberg Vineyards itself, the HMS range handsomely augments the range of white wines for which Steenberg is renowned. A limited edition of only 9000 bottles of HMS Rattlesnake Sauvignon Blanc 2010, and 3000 bottles of HMS Sphynx Chardonnay 2010 will be available directly from the Steenberg Tasting Room, which is open for wine sales and tasting, Monday to Friday from 9am to 6pm, and Saturdays, Sundays and Public Holidays from 10am to 6pm. Small quantities of HMS Rattlesnake will also be available from leading wine merchants and retail outlets.
HMS Chardonnay 2010
HMS RATTLESNAKE SAUVIGNON BLANC 2010: This refreshing Sauvignon Blanc was produced to meet the increased demand for Sauvignon Blanc created by Steenberg. With fruit sourced off the farm, from other cool climate areas Darling and Durbanville, stylistically the wine is made slightly differently, to offer a rounder, creamier version of Sauvignon Blanc. 25% of each grape variety was barrel fermented and aged for a total of 90 days in 500 litre and 600 litre French oak barrels, while the remaining grapes were fermented in stainless steel, and kept on the gross lees for 90 days. Hereafter the wine was blended and kept in stainless steel until bottling. The result is a crisp wine, which is full of flavour, with seductive herbaceous notes that dominate the nose, with fresh asparagus and green peas, fading into ripe tropical notes. Its creamy texture appeals to the palate with typical Sauvignon freshness and a lingering aftertaste. Delicious with fish and white meat dishes, it is best savoured after cellaring for two years. (Cellar door price: R80 per bottle)
HMS SPHYNX CHARDONNAY 2010: Grapes for this creamy Chardonnay were sourced from both Robertson and Constantia, and were barrel fermented and aged for a total of 10 weeks in 100% new, small French oak barrels. Hereafter the wine was taken to stainless steel for a further 2 months on fine lees, before it was fined and bottled. This full-bodied wine elicits notes of lemongrass, lime and buttered toast on the nose, showing beautiful fresh lime and slightly creamy, buttery notes on the palate, from the brief wood contact. With its creamy texture that will develop a further creaminess with bottle aging, it displays typical Chardonnay freshness, and is a wonderful wine for all occasions. Remaining crisp and refreshing on the palate without lacking fullness, it is best savoured after cellaring for five years. (Cellar door price: R80 per bottle)
Source: FivestarPR and With thanks to the Muizenberg Historical Conservation Society
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PAARDEBOSCH WINERY – SWARTLAND
Marius Malan grew up on their family farm, Staart van Paardeberg, on the foothills of the Paardeberg Mountains. Grape growing and producing wine run in the family and it was always Marius's dream to become a winemaker. After graduation at Elsenburg in 2005, Marius worked as assistant winemaker and viticulturist at Uva Mira, thereafter joined Slaley as chief winemaker and viticulturist. Read more...
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