2010 The Mentors, Viognier, KWV, Cape, South-Africa, Paarl

KWV* The Mentors' offer celebrates the diversity of the soils and the climate that together influence the different styles of South African wines. The grapes used to develop these wines are made by specific site selection and a treatment and special care in the vineyard and cellar. The result? Wines without equal that reflect the best of everything South Africa has to offer. It is the absolute top range of the KWV.

Ripening was carefully monitored as flavor development is normally only achieved at fairly high sugar levels. Collaboration between the viticulturist and winemaker ensured that the grapes were picked at the optimum point.

The grapes were destemmed and pressed, but only the free run juice was used to make this wine. After settling, the wine was inoculated with specially selected yeast, known for its aromatic capabilities as well as its slow, steady fermentation rate to enhance fruit flavors. Halfway through fermentation, 60% of the wine was moved to barrels, where it completed alcoholic fermentation. The remaining 40% tank fermented wine was added to the blend to enhance freshness and complexity. The barrels add dimension and fullness to the wine, without diminishing the abundance of fruit. The wine was left on lees for 60 days. In the first 30 days of lees' contact, the wine was stirred 3 times a week, afterwards it was done only twice a week. The wine was then racked, blended, filtered and bottled.

The wine has aged for 8 months in second and third fill French Oak barrels. A combination of 300 and 500 liter barrels were used.

Total production of 2 800 bottles

*Koöperatieve Wijnbouwers Vereniging