Delaire Graff, Coastal Cuvee, Coastal Region, Sauvignon Blanc 2023

The grapes were hand-picked in the cool of the early hours from the premium wine regions of Durbanville, Stellenbosch and Darling, each with unique flavours which combine in this blend offering complexity. The vines have an average age of 14 years and are trellised on a five-wire Perold system, a form of a vertical trellis which helps to protect the vines from wind damage. The climate is Mediterranean, with warm, dry summers, which are mitigated by the cooling sea breezes from the Atlantic, resulting in a slower ripening process encouraging natural balancing acidity to balance the
concentrated fruit flavours. The terroir is made up of Tukulu soils, which are derived from granite and have good physical and water-retention properties. The vineyards are cultivated sustainably and are certified by IPW. The vines are hand-harvested and the grapes are manually sorted to ensure the highest quality fruit is vinified.

The grapes received partial skin contact and were gently pressed to retain freshness. Fermentation with selected yeasts lasted for three weeks at 15˚C. A barrel-fermented
Semillon component contributed body and dimension to the blend. The wine was rested on the lees for five months post fermentation, adding to the depth of flavour.

Delaire Graff is a jewel in the Cape Winelands, located in the historic Banghoek Valley of Stellenbosch. Originally a farm named Avontuur, the estate was purchased by the
well-known wine writer John Platter in 1982, who renamed it Delaire meaning ‘From the Sky’ due to the magnificent views. In 2003, Laurence Graff OBE acquired the estate and following a six-year redevelopment programme, he transformed the estate into Delaire Graff: an iconic producer of world-class wines and a luxury boutique estate. The
meticulous efforts of the teams under the guidance of viticulturist Kallie Fernhout and winemaker Morné Vrey skilfully craft their award-winning wines from the unique terroir on the crest of the Helshoogte Mountain Pass. The grapes are grown on high-altitude terraces on the steep slopes of Botmaskop Mountain, which are cooled by sea breezes from the Atlantic. The wines show outstanding purity, which has become the hallmark of Delaire Graff wines. Delaire Graff was classed as First Growth in 2022 by Tim Atkin MW, and is ranked 36th by the World's Best Vineyards 2023

The 2023 season began with mild and dry conditions which limited berry mass and yields but ensured outstanding quality. The cool ripening period aided the early ripening varieties such as Sauvignon Blanc, and high-quality grapes were harvested, translating into stunning wines.