Ingenuity White 2010 is a big and bold eight-way blend tamed by the artful use of wood. It differs from its predecessor in that it includes Verdelho (7%), to replace last year’s Chenin blanc. The lead varietal is Sauvignon blanc, accounting for 39% of the blend, coming from cool-climate vineyards in Darling and also from Stellenbosch. The other varietals featured are Chardonnay (20%) from Durbanville and Paarl; Semillon (16%) from Philadelphia; Viognier (8%) from Durbanville; Nouvelle (6%) from Paarl, and Rhine Riesling (2%) and Gewürztraminer (2%) also from Paarl.
“All eight components were individually vinified before blending,” says Nederburg cellarmaster Razvan Macici. “A small portion of the Sauvignon blanc was fermented in French barriques to augment the creaminess of the Chardonnay that was entirely fermented and aged in new, top-of-the-line French 228 litre barrels. The Nouvelle spent five months in second-fill French oak.”
Macici elaborates: “This is a complex blend designed to age for at least eight to ten years. Its fusion of mineral, fruit and oak characters makes it very versatile. It pairs exceptionally well with seafoods and red and white meats.”
The 2008 Ingenuity Red blend, also made to last a decade or more, combines Sangiovese, grown organically, with Barbera and Nebbiolo. “There are not many wines made locally that feature these Italian varietals. They bring appealing cherry and savoury characters that are very food-friendly,” he says.
The Sangiovese (50%) was sourced from Darling, with the Barbera (45%) coming from Durbanville and the Nebbiolo (5%), from the high slopes of Simondium. The three components were individually vinified and aged for 20 months in 500 litre French Radoux oak barrels to impart subtle wood notes, he explains. “The dominant Sangiovese adds a spectrum of sweet red fruit flavours, particularly cherry and plum. The Barbera provides the structure and the tannins and the Nebbiolo softens the palate. The result is a fusion of fragrant berries, spiced plums and a hint of liquorice with elegant, velvety tannins.”
Nederburg’s Ingenuity White has featured as a five-star wine three years in a row in Platter’s South African Wine Guide with the 2007 vintage of Ingenuity Red joining the ranks in the 2011 edition of the guide.
Ingenuity White 2010 retails for around R160, and Ingenuity Red 2008 for around R230. Both are produced in very small editions and are available from the cellar and speciality wine retailers.
