Zevenwacht Z Gewurztraminer 2010

Zevenwacht is a privately owned estate specialising in the production of innovative hand crafted wines. It’s fairly large for a private enterprise, about 450 hectares with 200 hectares under vine. The other 250 are dedicated to their associated enterprises all surrounded by beautiful parkland. They have a restaurant, accomodation and spa, with a chef school, a cheesery making cheese from Friesland milk, and of course a wine tasting room. They offer various functions on the estate from conferences to weddings!  Their wines are quite special. Wine maker Jacques Viljoen uses tried and tested old school methods but also embraces modern technology and innovation. The result is wines with a classical elegance and modern twist. Every single one of their wines that I’ve tried has been excellent.

What’s it like?

Zevenwacht Z Gewurztraminer 2010 is only made in tiny quantities of 1200 bottles per vintage. All the grapes were picked in the very early hours of a single morning (March 8th for this vintage!), then underwent a rigorous inspection to ensure only the very best went to make this wine. It’s hugely aromatic with strong floral notes. Perfumed fruit on the palate, very elegant with a really long finish. It’s an exceptional wine really extracting all the favourable attributes of the Gewurztraminer grape. If you like this style it’s superb, but it may be too floral for fans of more sedate wines!

How much? Where from?

Zevenwacht Z Gewurztraminer 2010 is extremely limited as you can imagine with annual production of only 100 cases. The only UK retailer fortunate enough to get an allocation is www.goodwineonline.co.uk  who are also the only stockists of Zevenwacht’s other top end wines. This wine sells out so quickly in SA that their allocation is very small, about 20 cases per year! You may just be lucky enough to lay your hands on a bottle if you’re quick for £15.26.