Seven Springs Vineyard is a new winery with aspirations of becoming a leading producer of premium quality wines, situated bewteen the seaside town of Hermanus and the Spa Town of Caledon, in the picturesque Western Cape, South Africa. Having great benefits from their oceanic location, plus their shale derived soils, this gives their vines the potential to produce exceptional grapes from both north and south facing vineyards.
From 2010 they started to produce Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and Syrah, and Pinot Noir was first harvested in February 2011. We have tasted the range of wines from this exciting, up-coming producer and here is what we thought.
Seven Springs – Syrah £12.50 - £13.75
What: big, bold, serious wine player
When: 2010
Closure: Screw cap
Tech: Made from young vines, fermented in aged (2nd and 3rd year) French oak barrels
Taste: Obvious bouquet of ripe berries, vanilla and violet aromas on the nose with soft fruity palet. Plenty of spices, long fresh finish (this is still a very young wine, which will settle down with ageing ), a good food wine.
What to eat with: Spicy red meet with gravy, stew, lamb shank
Seven Springs – Chardonnay £12.50 - £13.75
What: Expressive oaked chardonnay, a very good example.
When: 2010
Closure: Natural cork
Tech: Made from young vines, fermented in aged (2nd and 3rd year) French oak barrels
Taste: Expressive nose of ripe peach, sweet vanilla, full. Rich on the palate, pleasant with mineral backbone, long finish and plenty of warm ripe fruits (peach, pineapple, papaya). Refreshing crisp citrus acidity
What to eat with: Roasted poultry, fish with creamy sauces
Seven Springs – Unoaked Chardonnay £10.50 - £11.50 
What: Delicate wine with a soft palete.
When: 2011
Closure: Screw cap
Tech: Made from very young vines with no exposure to oak barrel
Taste: Gentle nose with some ripe peach. Still fresh, soft palate, moderate fresh finish with a little kick of ripe, exotic fruit notes
What to eat with: On it's own or with some nibbles, chicken
Seven Springs – Sauvignon Blanc £10.50 - £11.50
What: A richer style of sauvignon blanc to enjoy with food.
When: 2010
Closure: Screw cap
Tech: Grapes harvested in full maturity to obtain rich, expressive style. Gentle pressing, fermenting and maturing in stainless steel tanks
Taste: Moderate on the nose with grassy, herbaceous notes. Full in the mouth, plenty of ripe apple and white grapefruit flavours, rich moderate finish.
What to eat with: Green leaf salads, seafood, lightly pan fried fish
