Muscat d'Alexandrie City on a Hill Coastal Region 2019

Description

André Bruyns, assistant winemaker to David and Nadia Sadie, started making wine under his own label City on a Hill in 2015. André wants the wines to be very specific to their site and soil type. His white grapes come from 35 year old dryland vineyards in the Paardeberg Mountain, planted mainly with Chenin Blanc. Farming is sustainable with some organic and biodynamic practices used.

The granitic soils enhance the stony/mineral attributes of the grapes giving rise to a focused and linear style. The wines are fermented naturally in old oak barrels to enhance the sense of place, and are bottled unfiltered.

He makes just one barrel of this Muscat d'Alexandrie from a 30 year old parcel, whole-bunch macerated for 5 days before pressing.

'This is pale straw yellow. Fragrant nose and not nearly as aromatic as you'd expect from a Musat d'Alexandrie! This has candle wax, smoke, fine herbs, yellow flowers red apples; On the palate it is dry, medium-bodied, with a balancing acidity along with intriguing vanilla, brioche, sweet spices, elegant, fennel aromatics. Layered and long and at only 11% abv, yet plenty of flavour, this makes a perfect wine for summer!' Philglas & Swiggot