Yethu Hárslevelü 2021

I tasted the Yethu Hárslevelü at WineX for the first time and had the opportunity to engage with them further on this very interesting Hungarian grape variety, mostly known for its role in the very sweet Tokaji wines. The grapes, from the Lemberg Estate in Tulbagh, are expressing great characteristics of this variety in the South African soils and climate. Both new world and old world winemaking techniques were employed in the making of this wine: 80% natural fermentation, 15% carbonic maceration and 5% orange winemaking. The wine was left for 8 months on gross lees to ensure a soft and elegant wine and mouthfeel.

This wine has a rich yellow to gold colour in the glass with a slight green hue. It offers a medium complex bouquet of citrus, tropical fruit and nuts on the nose. This wine has a fresh but elegant entry of lemon, honeysuckle, fresh peaches, a hint of pineapple and some marmalade. It develops into soft notes of almond and finishes with a tropical fruit mix.

This wine is the perfect wine in a tasting to go between a Sauvignon Blanc and a Chenin Blanc, because it has the freshness and acidity of the Sauvignon Blanc, and prepares you for the more tropical and honey notes of a Chenin Blanc. It will pair well with some pork chops or veal. It should be served chilled. Just over 1,500 bottles of this wine were produced. Any person interested in wine should try this excellent wine.

Producer: Yethu (Lemberg Estate)

Variety: Hárslevelü 100%

Vintage: 2021

Origin: Tulbagh, Western Cape, South Africa

Winemaker: Henk du Bruyn, MC Stander

Closure: Cork

Alcohol: 14.7%

RS: 2.9g/l

Average price: R250

Rating: 94/100