Scent of white flowers and peaches. Crisp and dry, with an attractive palate of white peach and apricot, backed by some fat. A distinctive, expressive and highly successful South African blend, an enticing aperitif and perfect with seafood too.
“Attractive fresh aromatic citrus aromas and flavours. Good acidity (all natural) and tense but creamy mouthfeel” Julia Harding, MW, Swartland and Paardeberg's finest, on the Purple Pages of www.jancisrobinson.com, May 2009. Now-2011

Product Code: VON108

Vondeling (literally the “foundling”) is a long established farm producing grapes sold to KWV, Boland and, recently, Rustenberg. Hampshire man Julian Johnson took over in 2000, and with new investment, and, from the 2007 vintage, a really capable, well-travelled winemaker in young Matthew Copeland, this is an estate now going places. The largely south-facing (i.e. cooler) vineyards are largely on very granitic soils on the slopes of the Paardeberg, a long ridge which represents an exceptional South African terroir.

We chose two blends here: the Petit Blanc, from thirds of Chenin Blanc, Chardonnay and Viognier; with plenty of lees contact to lend some weight; and the Petit Rouge, from just 55% Merlot and 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, all in old barrels. What is so pleasing about this pair is that they are not made to win prizes or startle the palate - they are wines for drinking, fruity, lively and fresh.