Stellenbosch Hills unveils rare bottlings of Sense of Place wines

A rare bottling of wines made only from harvests of exceptional quality has been released.

Stellenbosch Hills Sense of Place Trio

This is only the second time that the Suikerboschrand Cape Blend and Anna Christina Cap Classique – both part of the top-tier Sense of Place range by Stellenbosch Hills - have been made available.

Sense of Place is dedicated to the best individual vineyard components at the winemakers’ disposal and is a window on the provenance that flows throughout the Stellenbosch Hills portfolio. As such, quantity is limited by what the vineyard provides; and, the harmony of its growing season.

All skill, care and attention are brought to bear in crafting these ambassadorial wines, as displayed in the 2017 Sense of Place Suikerboschrand and 2020 Sense of Place Anna Christina MCC.

This timeous release makes these top-quality and food-friendly wines the perfect gift for epicureans and a cornerstone of any festive season celebration.

The Sense of Place Suikerboschrand is a blend dominated by Pinotage with Shiraz and equal measures of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Its tasting notes describe the wine as “voluptuous” and “elegant”, with abundant notes of ripe berries, dark chocolate, cigar box and a hint of spice.

The newly released 2017 vintage clinched Double Gold status at the 2021 Veritas Awards, whilst its predecessor, the 2015 Sense of Place Suikerboschrand, was a Perold ABSA Cape Blend Top Five winner for 2020; and, received 4,5 stars in both the 2020 and 2021 editions of the Platter’s South African wine guide.

The latest Sense of Place Anna Christina MCC is made completely from Stellenbosch Chardonnay. It is a gracious wine, with aromas of fresh apples, citrus blossoms and nutty yeastiness that envelop the palate. This character evolved from the vineyard and the 15 months it spent maturing on the lees.

It is named after the vivacious, eldest daughter of Antonie Vlotman, a Stellenbosch wine pioneer and the first wine farmer of the Vlottenburg area that is home to Stellenbosch Hills. The fruit for the 2020 vintage hails from a single vineyard with an aspect that is unique in Stellenbosch. Cooling ocean breezes slow ripening of the berries, allowing intense flavour to develop.

The latest vintages of the wine duo make them newcomers in a range of four under the Sense of Place banner, established in 2019. They join Kastanjeberg, a complex, wooded chenin whose 2020 vintage was released earlier this year; and, the La Serena, a luxurious aperitif made from Muscat de Hambourg wine fortified with seven-year-old potstill brandy.

These Sense of Place wines are available at selected leading wine specialists and restaurants around the country as well as from Stellenbosch Hills’ online store. The 2017 Sense of Place Suikerboschrand sells for R395; and, the 2020 Sense of Place Anna Christina MCC, for R205.

For more information about Stellenbosch Hills, visit www.stellenbosch-hills.co.za; call
Tel: 021 881 3828/9; or, email info@stellenbosch-hills.co.za. Stellenbosch Hills is also on
Facebook (StellenboschHills), Twitter @STBHills and Instagram @stellenbosch_hills.

Stellenbosch Hills is located at the intersection of the R310 and Vlottenburg Road, just outside Stellenbosch. It is open Monday to Friday, 09:00 – 17:00; and, Saturdays: 10:00 – 15:00; and, closed on public holidays.

Issued by: RANDOM HAT COMMUNICATIONS

Pictures: SUPPLIED