Bros Ex Africa Muscat Dalexandrie 2024

Myburgh Bros Ex Africa Muscat dAlexandrie 2024 takes one of South Africa's oldest and most familiar grape varieties,Hanepoot,and does something rather different with it: makes a crisp, bone-dry table wine. Muscat dAlexandrie, also known as Muscat of Alexandria or Hanepoot, has been grown in South Africa for generations, although many of the country's older vineyards have disappeared.

Myburgh Bros see these remaining vineyards as part of our viticultural history worth preserving. The fruit for the 2024 comes from a 27-year-old dry-farmed bush-vine vineyard on Klipdam, immediately neighbouring Joostenberg in the south-western corner of Paarl. The vines grow in clay-rich Malmesbury shale soils.

After hand-harvesting, the grapes are gently whole-bunch pressed, fermented in well-seasoned barriques and matured for nine months on the lees. The only additive used is a small amount of sulphur. So, no, this isn't your granny's sweet Hanepoot. Tasting Notes Colour: Pale straw with light golden highlights.

Nose: Immediately aromatic, with lychee, ripe pear and cantaloupe, alongside the floral perfume you'd expect from Muscat. Palate: Medium-bodied and juicy, with ripe orchard and exotic fruit balanced by freshness and a surprisingly restrained feel. The time on lees gives it some texture, while fermentation in seasoned barrels adds complexity without turning it into an obviously oaky wine.

Finish: Crisp, clean and importantly bone dry. Technical Details Producer: Myburgh Bros / JoostenbergVintage: 2024Origin: Paarl, Western Cape, South AfricaVineyard: Klipdam FarmGrape Variety: 100% Muscat dAlexandrie (Hanepoot)Vine Age: 27 yearsVine Training: Bush vinesFarming: Dry-farmedSoil: Clay-rich Malmesbury shalePressing: Gentle whole-bunch pressingFermentation: Well-seasoned barriquesMaturation: 9 months on the leesAdditions: No additives apart from sulphurABV: 12.15%Residual Sugar: 2.5g/LpH: 3.47Total Acidity: 5.0g/LBottle Size: 750ml