Lauded wine hails from some of the region’s best vineyards
Stellenbosch Hills has unveiled the 2020 vintage of its much-anticipated 1707 White Reserve. The absolute highlight for those-in-the-know who eagerly await this special announcement is the wine’s exceptional provenance.
All three cultivars that comprise the blend for the 1707 White Reserve hail from a single grower, located in the Stellenbosch Kloof area. This region has long been the home to some of South Africa’s top-performing and most famous wines.
The winery follows suit, taking care to preserve the wine’s character all the way through.
“Our flagship, limited-edition 1707 White Reserve is a wine that consistently amasses top-level ratings for our winery,” says Stellenbosch Hills winemaker James Ochse. “It truly is a fitting ambassador of the sublime terroir of the Stellenbosch Kloof area, known for its ideal climate and fertile soils.”
So popular is the wine that it also enjoys support from loyal importers, mainly in the Netherlands, Russia, and Japan. The wine is also exported to California.
Its pedigree sees the wine a proud bearer of Stellenbosch Hills’ 1707 label and completes the range alongside an equally sought-after red blend. Both are produced from the finest and best vineyards, and both are barrel-aged.
James describes the latest iteration of 1707 White Reserve as having a pale, straw-yellow hue. The complex nose is aromatic and recalls fresh citrus, jasmine flowers, and a hint of honeysuckle. “The palate is full-bodied with zesty acidity, a concentrated mid-palate and juicy tannins,” he says, adding that its richness makes it a good accompaniment to sushi, seafood curries, mussel soup, risotto, and cream-based dishes.
The 1707 White Reserve is a Chardonnay-driven blend with portions of Semillon and Viognier. Each was matured on the lees, in 300-litre French oak barrels for 10 months. The Chardonnay component was further rounded in a concrete, egg-shaped wine tank.
The tank mimics the form of ancient Greek and Roman amphorae and allows the contents to circulate evenly and smoothly, and so provide a more refined wine.
Stellenbosch Hills two and last...
Bâtonnage took place every two weeks and the components were blended before bottling.
According to James, the wine may be consumed right away but will continue to develop for up to three years from bottling.
The 1707 White Reserve 2020 is available at most independent liquor stores and Stellenbosch Hills’ cellar door for R135.
For more information about Stellenbosch Hills, visit www.stellenbosch-hills.co.za; call 021 881 3828/9; or, email info@stellenbosch-hills.co.za. Stellenbosch Hills is also on Twitter and Facebook.
The Stellenbosch Hills tasting room welcomes visitors again. It is open Monday to Friday, 09:00 to 17:00 and Saturday, 10:00 to 15:00. It is closed on Sundays and public holidays.
Stellenbosch Hills is located at the intersection of the R310 and Vlottenburg Road, just outside Stellenbosch.