Nederburg`s The Young Airhawk, a Top 10 Sauvignon Blanc

One of Nederburg’s specialty wines, The Young Airhawk Sauvignon Blanc 2013, has been chosen as one of this year’s FNB Sauvignon Blanc Top 10 wines.

What makes it so appealing, says cellar master Razvan Macici, is a zesty freshness, multifaceted and creamy taste and its compatibility with food. This is the second accolade earned this month by the wooded Sauvignon blanc. Just a few weeks ago, it landed a double gold at Veritas.

Sourced from cool-climate vineyards in Elim, Darling and Durbanville, it was fermented in a combination of first- and second-fill small oak, using 228 litre and 300 litre barrels. The wine was kept on the lees for 10 months and stirred regularly to add creaminess and complexity.

“Layers of green figs, asparagus and minerality on the nose and palate integrate very well with the wood, “says Macici. “It’s a great match with fresh oysters, grilled crayfish, calamari or prawns and poached mussels. It’s also delicious served with creamy chicken and pasta dishes.”

The Young Airhawk forms part of Nederburg’s gourmet Heritage Heroes collection and has been named to honour the young Arnold Graue, a very talented young winemaker, who died in a light airplane crash.

Available from specialty stockists and the farm in Paarl, it retails for around R115 a bottle.