Lomond,
set in the Gansbaai area in the valley of Uilenkraal River, is one
of a handful of farms with a Cape Agulhas appellation of
origin.
Lomond
is a tremendously exciting development that has ventured into new
wine-growing terrain.
Its extreme southerly location, proximity to the sea and varied
soils contribute to some very distinctive wines that very clearly
reflect their origins. Its
terroir is certainly unique in the Cape Agulhas District.
Named
Lomond from the Ben Lomond mountain running
through the farm. Kept cool by the south-westerly and
south-easterly winds during the summer months. These
cool temperatures allow vineyards to ripen several weeks later
than their Stellenbosch counterparts, with harvesting taking place towards
March.
Falling within the Walker Bay Fynbos conservancy there is 200 ha of
pristine Fynbos set aside for conservation and each of their single
vineyards is named after the regions unique flora; such as whites - Pin
Cushion and Sugar Bush.
Like
Elgin and Constantia, this farm falls within the Winkler Zone 2 but the
difference here is that the variation in day/night temperatures is less
marked.
Although
altitudes vary, even the lowest-lying vineyards still benefit from the
cool sea breezes. Another unique feature are the geological formations
which include granite, varying the soil pattern from the more familiar
sandstone of Table Mountain. These soils vary from the gravelly ferricrete (iron-cemented
concretions) to pure white kaolin clay.
Wayne
Gabb, Lomond's Wine Grower, gives us the inside story on Lomond's
maiden wines.
Lomond’s debut wines are two
single-vineyard wines. Both
2005 Sauvignon Blancs in very limited quantities.
Why
two single-vineyard wines instead of a single larger bottling?
Given the significantly different
fruit characters that can develop between the two vineyards, depending on
the season, it made sense to create two wines.
But
don’t you run the risk of creating rather one-dimensional wines?
Not at all. There are definite differences in soil patterns between the
two vineyards. They are also
situated at different altitudes so that each block contributes sufficient
but different complexity to justify a single-vineyard wine.
Tell
us about the two Sauvignon Blancs?
2005
Lomond Sugarbush Sauvignon Blanc
"We chose the name to celebrate the
sugarbush proteas (Protea
obtusifolia) that grow prolifically on the farm.
We planted the Nietvoorbij Weerstasie SB 11 clone,
tending to produce grassy, asparagus flavours, on the upper 3 ha
Sugarbush block, altitudes vary there from 85 m to 110 m above sea level where four low-vigour soil types predominate. Dresden,
Wasbank, Houwhoek and Estcourt. The former three
are examples of gravelly ferricrete (koffieklip), soils, while the latter
tends to be much sandier.
The grapes were picked at 23ºB
to 24ºB, and handled reductively with the juice cold-fermented between 10ºC
and 12ºC to preserve the natural grape flavours and the wine was left on the lees for eight weeks before being racked."
What are the wine’s
distinctive characteristics?
"This crisp
lively wine has aromas of freshly cut grass, asparagus and herbaceous, asparagus
flavours, ending in a long finish."
2005
Lomond Pincushion Sauvignon Blanc
"Named
after the Pincushion protea (Leucospermum
patersonii), found on the farm.
The French clone SB159, yielding
strong flavours of fig and tropical fruits, is planted on three soil types
occurring within this single vineyard block, located at an altitude of 60
m to 90 m above sea level. The
soils are deep, darkish Tukulu, Cartref with a sandy top layer and a
decomposed sandstone substructure, and Estcourt that, like Cartref, has a
sandy top layer but a kaolin substructure of heavy clay.
Exactly the same vinification
process was followed as for the Sugarbush Sauvignon Blanc."
What are the wine’s
distinctive characteristics?
"Although powerfully flavoured and full-bodied this
is a very elegant wine with prominent flavours of green fig and ripe
pineapple and gooseberry."
2005
Lomond Conebush Syrah 
