Thursday, 30 October, 2014
Buitenverwachting
Lars Maack tells us “We
replanted the entire section of Buitenverwachting known as Husseys Vlei. The
original plantings were all red cultivars, but the close proximity, loss of
direct sun in the afternoon and high altitude 250m above sea level were
indication for cool and heat sensitive varietals such as Sauvignon Blanc.
I therefore decided to
replace the Cabernet Sauvignon, Gamay Noir and Pinot Noir and planted Sauvignon
Blanc instead. The first crop came in in 2004. The flavour profile of the
Sauvignon Blanc was so distinctively different that we felt that the ripe and
beautifully elegant gooseberry characters from the southern side of
Buitenverwachting were clashing with the new more pungent green pepper flavours
from the new Husseys vineyards. The first vintages were awarded with a double
gold medal at Veritas. The wine is a real heavy weight, full bodied and
long lasting flavours which allows the wine to develop and peak over three to
four years.”
Lars says that what
makes this award even for meaningful is that only 50 wines received this
accolade out of 7.700 listed wines and that he is thrilled that another four of
Buitenverwachting wines were rated as ‘Highly Recommended’.
Recent awards include:
A Gold for
Buitenverwachting’s Merlot 2010 at the highly acclaimed Veritas Awards 2014
A Gold for
Buitenverwachting’s Christine 2009 at the Old Mutual Trophy Wine Show 2014
(widely regarded as SA's leading premium wine show).
The farm was part of Simon van der Stel’s original Constantia farm. In 1773 a 200 acre portion was sub divided and sold to Cornelus Brink; this was known as Nova Constantia. Buitenverwachting came into being when Arend Brink bought the farm in 1794 built a manor house and started planting vines. During the past two centuries Buitenverwachting has had no less than 16 owners with huge swings in fortune. It was when German businessman Richard Mueller and his wife bought the farm in 1981 that stability and a change in fortune came to Buitenverwachting. The farm has been under the management of son Lars Maack over the past few years and this magnificent Estate has truly flourished, producing outstanding wines and comprising an excellent restaurant.
Living up to its name;
Buitenverwachting – Beyond Expectation!