Elim translates to, “Place of God,” and is a wine ward located in the Cape Agulhas region, and is the southernmost on the Western Cape. Elim is at the meeting point of the warmer Indian Ocean, and the cold Atlantic Ocean. Wine connoisseurs claim that it is the climate that makes the wine so good in Elim. Elim is located 20 kilometers from Agulhas.
German Moravian missionaries planted the first vines in 1842, as they needed wine for communion. The cool breezes from the south-west and southeast meet on the vineyards helping to prolong the growing season. Because of the gradual ripening process, the grapes are given plenty of fruity characters. Planting in the region ended over one hundred years ago, but resumed in 1997.
Elim has a variety of soils that include weathered shale, and laterite and sandstone that help contribute to the intensity and quality of the wines. The terroir in Elim is best suited for Sauvignon Blanc; however, the late and long ripening season is excellent for red grapes like Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon. There are several fresh water springs in Elim that leads to speculation of a huge underground lake underneath the coastal shelf.
Indwe Pinotage Coastal Region is made from 100 percent Pinotage.
Pinotage is a true South African grape variety, Our signature grape smilar to the Blue Crane being our national bird. Indwe Pinotage grapes are meticulously sourced from our grape producers along the Coastal region of the Western Cape ensuring complexity, depth and purity of fruit. The wine is layered with sweet cherry notes, and subtle hints of mocha and vanilla flavors.
Pago de Carraovejas Cuesta Liebres is made from 100% Tinto Fino. The plot is located on a terraced hillside located at 900 m above sea level with slopes that range between inclines of 30% and 40%. Red cherry color with purple hues. Ripe fruit aromas, vanilla notes. Suave and unctuous in the mouth. A strong and noble character.
The harvest is carried out by hand using small crates and after passing through a refrigerated container it is transferred into tanks via gravity. The alcoholic and malolatic fermentation is carried out in small French “Haute Futaie” Oak casks with unique and original local yeasts and fermenting bacteria from the vineyard itself, to bring out the very best of the terroir, respecting the uniqueness of each and every vintage. Clarified with egg whites and bottled by gravity with natural cork stoppers.
Review:
The top-of-the-range 2019 Cuesta de Las Liebres is pure Tinto Fino from a slope ("cuesta" is the Spanish word for slope), 3.36 hectares planted in 1993 that they only bottle separately in exceptional years. 2019 was a healthy and homogeneous vintage, with ripeness and harmony. It comes from very chalky and white soils. The handpicked grapes fermented in small oak vats with indigenous yeasts, and the wine matured in new 225-liter French oak barrels. The oak is integrated and does not dominate the aromas or flavors, and the wine is serious and harmonious, with elegance and subtleness.
-Wine Advocate 95 Points
Maison Le Bihan Sancerre Blanc is 100% Sauvignon Blanc.
Pale, lemon green color, with pronounced citrus intensity. The nose is dominated by lychee, grapefruit and peach aromas; rich and well-rounded in the mouth, showing a pleasant acidity length.
Traditional, in stainless steel tanks. Bladder press grape pressing and reception of the must in the tanks by gravity. Settling of the must 24-36 hours before fermentation. Slow alcoholic fermentation only is done, in order to preserve the aromatic qualities. A racking is done over 3 months later. Clarification and light filtration before bottling at the estate.
To drink as an Aperitif or with food, such as white meat, seafood, crottin de Chavignol goat cheese.