Muscat d’Alexandrie, also known as Muscat of Alexandria and Hanepoot, was thought to have originated in Africa and is one of the oldest known wine grape still in use. It made its way from the Egyptian city of Alexandria to Europe and then to South Africa and is widely planted here.
Vineyard
100% Muscat d’Alexandrie from Klipdam farm (next door to Joostenberg Estate) which is situated in the south-western corner of the Paarl wine region. It’s a 25 year old, dry-farmed, bush-vine vineyard planted in clay- rich Malmesbury shale soils.
Winemaking
All winemaking actions were aimed at expressing the natural characteristics of the vineyard. The only “non-grape” addition was a small amount of SO2 prior to bottling. The grapes were harvested in 2 stages; an early pick to capture acidity, and a later, riper pick when flavours were more developed. 40% was fermented as whole bunches for a week and then transferred to old oak barrels for maturation. The remainder was whole-bunch pressed and fermented in old oak barrels. The wine was kept on the lees for 10 months before being bottled.
The aromas are an exotic mélange of litchee, apricot and blossoms. The palate is textured and seamless, and the finish is bone-dry.
Alcohol: 12.0% • Residual Sugar: 1.9g/L • pH: 3.6 • Acid: 5.1g/L
