It’s always an amazing privilege to be able to taste and buy new, small production wines from producers located all over the world.

More recently, I assumed tasting Hannes Storm’s Chardonnay 2015 was an exciting privilege, but today I got a sneak preview of one of the most exciting new releases I’ve tasted this year so far… the Wild Air Sauvignon Blanc 2016 from Hemel en Aarde Valley at 12.5 Abv.

This is a joint venture between Ben Henshaw of Indigo Wines and Hannes Storm, to produce a seriously complex, wine of substance, something the Cape loving Henshaw has done previously with his Johan Meyer joint venture making Chenin Blanc and top red blends.

This is an epic wine of substance. Seek it out, buy it, drink it. There, I’ve said it. I love Hannes and everything he touches. Apparently this phenomenon is catching!

Tasting Note: Seductive, rich, opulent, exotic lifted nose of white blossoms, gooseberries, honey suckle and green apple purée. Palate is so pure and fine with crunchy green pear, a rich textural, sensual, seamless broad flavour spectrum. Such alluring, seductive notes. Top show stopper for the first release! (Wine Safari Score: 93/100 Greg Sherwood MW)