Louisvale’s purple patch swings good-value spotlight back to Devon Valley

Louisvale scenic - 20140708_093504 (cropped)LOUISVALE… Very low profile in recent times, and then POW! Top rating with a Bordeaux-style red blend in the first Ultra Value Wine Challenge after it had collected silver at the Trophy Wine Show earlier in the year, and then the title of Best Rosé at the annual Cap Classique Challenge for South African sparkling wines made according to the traditional method pioneered in Champagne, France. A case of an established Stellenbosch producer, established in Devon Valley during the 1980s and 90s, coming back onto the radar again in 2015 but with wines that are different to those on which the reputation of the property was founded.

The good-value Louisvale Dominque 2013 is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc going for R75 a bottle at the cellar. “Intense fruit aromas of black currant and plum are underpinned by toasted oak. The palate is medium- to full-bodied and rich.” The non-vintage Louisvale Chardonnay Pinot Noir Brut Rosé at R100 pb “delivers aromas of freshly cut strawberries and cherries on the nose”. On the palate: “The bubbles are fine and the foam persistent… flavours reminiscent of fresh, crisp berries.”

Louisvale Dominique 2013 Packshot (smaller)Actually, Louisvale first signalled a return to form in 2014 when they won a platinum award for their second-tier Stone Road Sauvignon Blanc – a steal at the cellar-door price of R40 a bottle. But it’s Chardonnay that they specialise in on this farm – there are three still-wine versions which differ in character and price, in part due to varying degrees of oaking, and there are two combinations of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, one still and one sparkling, also dry. “The Art of Chardonnay” is the headline on their website and appears atop the background information and tasting notes for all the wines, white or red, Chardonnay or not.

The first vines were planted in 1985 just before the farm was bought by Hans Froehling and Leon Stemmet in 1988, followed by the first vintage of 1989. Neil Ellis was the first winemaker, followed by Marinus Bredell, with the incumbent  cellarmaster Simon Smith holding the reins since 1997. Louisvale is now owned by businessman Altmann Allers, who in 2010 bought the property from Mike Johnston and partners, who’d taken over from Froehling and Stemmet in 2002.

The colour purple has always been integral to the Louisvale livery and one wonders what’s next in store for wine lovers during what has proven to be a ‘purple patch’ in the history of the estate. For a map and contact info, click here.

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