Two Roads

Icon White Blend

The original vintage of this wine was a straight Chardonnay. Many people have asked to explain the philosophy behind changing the make up of the wine. It all lies in the name. The Two Roads was named with the famous poem by Robert Frost “The Road Not Taken” in mind.

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I— I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference.

“In keeping with the above sentiment, I decided that I would like to create a white blend of superior quality and complexity.” Bruce explains.

White Blend 2005

This is our icon white blend project. It is a carefully crafted combination of the following components:

Vinification

Grapes were hand picked during February and March at optimum ripeness, after which it was stored in our cold room overnight. Most of the components were crushed and pressed to tank the next day, although some were whole bunch pressed or crushed and left to cold soak for 12 – 24 hours. All wines that were fermented in barrels were handled as very oxidative, before barrel down. Barrels used: 1/3 new American & French Oak, 1/3 2nd Fill American oak, and the rest older American and French Oak.

Lees were added to each barrel to increase solids. Barrels were stirred once a week for extended lees contact. Wine matured in barrels for 4 months and tasted at regular intervals, after which the best ones were selected for this blend. Barrels were racked to tank and blended, followed by protein and tartrate stabilisation. Wine was cross flow filtered before bottling in September. All the components were matured separately in mostly new French and American Oak before blending took place.

The 2004 vintage was awarded “The Best White Blend in the Country”, by Wine of the Month Club.

It has been bottled under screw cap, for freshness and age-ability and can be enjoyed between now and 2010.

Tasting Notes 2005

Intriguing, light lime green hue shot through with white gold. On the nose the wine jumps out of the glass with focused aromas of naartjie zest, fresh thyme and spanspek. In the background, a hint of cloves, nutmeg and wild mushroom. The wine seduces your palette with a texture of creamed honey, but the flavours are taut citrus fruit framed by a suggestion of toasty vanilla oak. An extraordinarily complex and satisfying mouthful.

Analysis

Alc: 13.67%, Rs: 3.1, TA: 7.1, pH: 3.23

Cultivars

Sauvignon Blanc 29%, Chardonnay 24%, Weisser Riesling 18%, Pinot Blanc 17%, Semillon 11%, Morio Muscat 1%