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and consumers to be over 18 years old.
Star bright in colour with flashes of pale lemon green, this wine boasts beautiful aromas of lemon zest with hints of toast, spice and melon. These aromas lead to an elegant, creamy palate with soft tannins and well-balanced acidity. The wine lingers beautifully on the palate with a fresh, lime finish.
It has great aging potential and will benefit from up to eight years’ maturation.
Vintage depends on availability and can't be selected.
View all vintage fact sheets / tasting notes here.
Availability of vintages depends on current stock.
Legal restrictions limit the sale quantity to 180 bottles (30 cases) per customer.
Please click here to request the purchasing of larger quantities.
The wine labels on bottles from our Reserve range feature an illustration of Alvi’s Drift, the low-water bridge over the Breede River cutting through the family farm. Our patriarch, Albertus Viljoen “Oupa Alvi” van der Merwe, was instrumental in having this bridge built back in 1930.
Oupa Alvi’s son Bertie started wine production on the family farm and today Bertie’s son, Alvi’s Drift winemaker Alvi van der Merwe produces the winery’s award-winning South African wines, enjoyed by wine lovers around the globe.
Our Alvi’s Drift Reserve range is the culmination of our pursuit of excellence in producing outstanding wines of unrivalled complexity.
RESERVE RANGE
With an ideal Mediterranean microclimate, an abundance of soil diversity and water from the life-giving Breede River, the Alvi’s Drift vineyards are ideally positioned for producing remarkable South African wines of unique character and complexity.
Our Reserve range showcases the best of our harvest; a fusion of our trademark fresh, primary-fruit style – with just a hint of the luscious and opulent barrel-fermented style of our Albertus Viljoen Icon range.
Optimally ripe grapes, hand-picked in the cool early morning hours are whole-bunch pressed, after which wild yeast fermentation commences in tank. A portion of the juice completes fermentation in tank, while the balance completes fermentation in oak barrels.
This wine’s trademark, optimally ripe fresh fruit characters are showcased by the tank fermentation process, while barrel fermentation lends beautiful complexity. This wine will improve with cellar maturation of two to five years.
"As a die-hard Chardonnay fan, I have spent an inordinate amount of money (no regrets whatsoever) on this varietal. So I was somewhat sceptical when I saw how reasonably priced this wine is, especially being part of a reserve collection.I was pleasantly surprised at my first sip, but after allowing the wine to breathe a bit in the glass, I was smitten! The wine is elegant, not overly wooded, not overly buttery, just the perfect blend of fruit and sophisticated oak. I’ve even introduced my son, an avid red wine drinker, and he responded with similar surprise (the good kind)!I’m also delighted to be supporting a family business and hope to continue stocking up on this beautiful wine for as long as my pocket (and lifespan) last."
- Lindi -
