Sancerre Lovers rejoice! The 2019 Bayten Sauvignon Blanc comes from one of South Africa’s most respected producers and it offers up Sancerre-like flavors and nuance at less than $20 per bottle.
I’m not exaggerating here folks. Super crisp, lively and bone-dry, this herb and mineral accented white is one of the great Sauvignon Blanc values on the planet. And while Sancerre prices have risen due to the tariffs, this one actually took a price decrease!
2019 Bayten Sauvignon Blanc
92 points Josh Spurling | No other reviews yet, but this consistently earns 90+ points…
This vintage is sold out. To order the new vintage, stop by the store or click here to order in our online store.
When you manage to get your tongue around it, Buitenverwachting (pronounced bay-ten-fur-vachk-ting) is Dutch for “beyond expectation.” Today, however, locals lovingly refer to the farm as Bayten. One of South Africa’s premiere wine farms, the estate is situated on the east-facing slopes of Constantia Mountain. This cool-climate coastal area is renowned for elegant white wines that possess an intense mineral character.
And this is no new estate…..far from it. The farm’s history dates back to 1773, but in 1982, the property was extensively renovated and replanted. And today, the estate is owned and operated by Lars Maack and the Mueller family. Winemaking is handled by Hermann Kirschbaum, one of South Africa’s most gifted makers of white wines.
Hermann consistently produces one of South Africa’s top Sauvignon Blancs and the 2019 is no exception. From the rocky, dry-farmed soils of Constantia, Bayten’s Sauvignon Blanc vines average 20+ years of age. Fermented in stainless steel and aged on its fine lees for 3 months, the finished wine is one of the finest Southern Hemisphere Sauvignon Blancs I’ve ever tasted.
The style of this wine defines the Sauvignon Blancs that Constantia can produce, and it never fails to disappoint. On the nose, it’s loaded with notes of green herbs, pepper, gooseberry, lime, chalk and flint. Yep, there’s a lot going on! And the palate is equally engaging with crisp and intense flavors of exotic citrus, green fig, guava. lime leaf and sugar snap pea. Overall, there’s a lot going on in the glass, but the wine maintains an elegance and restraint that makes me think of Loire Valley Sauvignon Blanc.
If you love Sauvignon Blanc, do yourself a favor and pick up at least 6 of these babies. This is already a staff and customer favorite, but that recent price decrease inspired me to run a great deal here. Enjoy this one with spicy Asian fare like green curry or pad thai. Or chill it down nicely and sip with a creamy goat cheese. My mouth is watering…..
This vintage is sold out. To order the new vintage, stop by the store or click here to order in our online store.
Josh Spurling
Owner, Operator, Wine Monger
Table Wine Asheville