Douglas Green Harvest 2010 - the good, the bad and the smiling
Friday, 16 April, 2010
Douglas Green
2010 has been loaded with activity for Douglas Green. We are in fact just finishing off the last of the harvest in what has been a tricky vintage for most, but has left our Oenologist, Jaco Potgieter, smiling.
It is indeed true that great wines begin in the vineyard, but this year, what goes on in the winery will be critical to the quality and style of the wines that land up in your glass. We are lucky enough to have a diverse catalogue of growers and cellars allowing us to balance the bad with the good for harmonious balanced wines no matter what the weather.
In actual fact, the typical pronounced ripe fruit flavour profiles and good robust acid and tannin structure that defines
this harvest is just what we look for at Douglas Green to bring you bold honest wines that are true to our signature style. This vintage may be small on volumes, but it is big on fruit intensity and widely appealing accessibility overall.
Glory grapes of the season include beautiful Chenin blanc, sumptuous Sauvignon blanc and compliant Chardonnay on
the white side, whilst Pinotage appears to be the prince charming of the reds.
Chenin blanc is oozing character and charm, Douglas Green Oenologist Jaco Potgieter enthuses, "2009 was a really great vintage. It was one of those once in a lifetime vintages. What we have experienced in 2010 is absolutely great again! I do not think that many winemakers where ever they may be, have ever experienced two consecutive vintages like this in their careers".
News is that our Sauvignon blanc will be bigger and bolder than last year and not quite as 'savage'. It is a more tropical year where the bunches were left hanging a little longer.
Our Chardonnay is quite remarkable and still standing as a wine of great generosity and ample appeal. "You can give
Chardonnay a real run for its money and it will still be forgiving," says our oenologist. If you love Chardonnay, then this year will not disappoint you.
As for the reds, whilst it is a bit early to comment with clarity on all the varieties, our Pinotage is the clear
favourite at this stage. Even the Pinotage Rosé stands out as something to be proud of this vintage. Great natural fruit flavours and fine ripe tannins make this the grape to look out for, although our Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz are sure to satisfy as faithfully fruit forward and firmly textured as always.
Yes - this is a year when a few cellar tricks may come to the rescue of nature's curve balls, but thanks to our very close relationships with our growers and cellars as well as our vast and varied resources and experience, you can trust us to bring you the same great quality wines that you have come to know and expect Douglas Green.
And that is why Jaco is smiling.