Hermanuspietersfontein Kaalvoet Meisie 2023

Kaalvoet Meisie (‘barefoot girl’)  is a richer style of Sauvignon Blanc because it ferments and ages in both new and old oak for 12 months. Elegant aromas of exotic fruit like dragon fruit, passion fruit and pineapple as well as ripe yellow peach and apricot. The concentrated fruit profile is complimented by aromas and flavours of wild herbs. Vibrant acidity and a lingering, minerally finish gives this beauty of a wine at least 7 years of ageing potential.

Country: South Africa

Region: Sondagskloof, Walker Bay

Grapes: Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon

ABV: 12.5%

Food Matching: Asparagus and and goat's cheese salad

You’ve probably heard of the quaint beach town of Hermanus, situated on South Africa’s famous Whale Coast. Between 1855 and 1902, it was called Hermanuspietersfontein. In 1902, the local postmaster decided to shorten the name of the town to make addressing letters to the locals easier.

150 years later, the wine farm Hermanuspietersfontein, or HPF for short, craft outstanding wines with a serious sense of place. Their grapes come from Sondagskloof (they produce 90% of WO Sondagskloof wine), which competes with Elgin and the Ceres Plateau for South Africa’s coolest wine growing region. This area is perfectly suited to Bordeaux varietals and, with the exception of Shiraz, is exclusively planted with them.

The Afrikaans wine names might look like a bit of a mouthful, but they are good fun; Bloos (‘blush’), Kaalvoet Meisie (‘barefoot girl’), Kat Met Die Houtbeen (‘cat with the wooden leg’), Posmeester (‘postmaster’), Kleinboet (‘little brother’) and Swartskaap (‘black sheep’).