The Underworld
Blanc
The Underworld thrusts a shovel into that unseen land of sticks and stones, of broken bones, the kingdom of roots. Above the ground the vines frilly dance, it's buxom sun-drenched bounty is nothing without the sober grind of roots blindly winding into the Earth, the hidden hero of flavor, of place.
South Africa
Food Match
It's lime leaf texture and exotic bouquet make it a perfect partner for all foods Asian. It also washes freshly shucked oysters down like a treat too!
Tasting Notes
There are few finer things than finding a cultivar that not only belongs in modern South Africa but is so PHENOMENALLY tasty – it's delicately pithy otherness is hard to describe but let's have a go. On the nose it has a curious apothecary of rare botanicals including lemon peel, juniper, jasmine and guava. These can also be found on the palate supported by the grape's inherently pithy acidity, longevity and structure.
Production
The wine is a blend of Grenache Blanc from two locations – 70% is from 40 year old, unirrigated bush vines located in Piekernierskloof along with 30% from younger bush vine Paarl fruit (hence why it is classified as Western Cape). The Paarl component has been fermented in four to six year old 500L French oak barrels. The remainder has been wild fermented in stainless steel with 5g/l residual sugar to round off the spice a little.