Established in 1698, Altydgedacht Estate is a family farm where long standing traditions and modern methods blend to create wines of quality and character. Altydgedacht is one of the historic farms established on the fertile slopes of the Tygerberg and has been in the Parker family since 1852.
Altydgedacht is a 412 hectare estate where brothers John and Oliver and their teams utilize the Durbanville microclimate to its fullest to produce wines with distinctive varietal expression. Situated in the hills of the Tygerberg valley, the varying aspects of the slopes allow individual grape cultivars to be sited on slopes according to their heat preference. The average rainfall is 550 mm per annum. The deep red Hutton and Clovelly soils have sufficient moisture retention to carry the vines through the dry summer months. The vines are therefore not irrigated. A policy of low cropping is practiced with yields not exceeding more than 10 tons/ha.
Today 130 tons of grapes are picked annually with only a selected portion being used to make wine on the estate. Altydgedacht is situated only 15 km away from the Altlantic ocean and falls into one of the coolest wine-growing regions of South Africa. The prevailing winds blow from the sea ensuring a moderate climate, while the late summer mists contribute a cooling effect. This cooling effect means that the ripening period of the grape is lengthened and has the excellent potential for quality wine. Oak is used with care to complement the fruit flavors to produce subtle, complex and distinctive wines.
The white cultivars produced are Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, Gewurztraminer, Hanepoot, Sauvignon Blanc, Weisser Reisling, S.A. Riesling and Viognier.
The red cultivars are Barbera, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Gamay, Merlot, Shiraz and Pinotage. Viognier and Cabernet Franc are the most recent cultivars to be introduced.
Tygerberg – Sauvignon Blanc
The wine has a pale straw-color. Due to differential picking, the grapes impart a whole spectrum of flavors to the wine, ranging from bell pepper, green figs, grapefruit to grass. Fresh and lively on the palate where the fruit is replicated and the wine finishes with a nice acidic grip.
Serve chilled as an aperitif or as an accompaniment to salads, fish, shellfish and light white meat dishes.
The wine is ready to be enjoyed while young and fresh but will develop complexity with a year or two in the bottle.
Vintage: 2008
Alcohol: 13.5%
UPC #: 6006856000083
Awards & Ratings:
* Veritas Silver 2009
Tygerberg – The Ollo
The grapes were hand-harvested to create this luscious blend of 37% Viognier, 19% Chardonnay, 15% Chenin Blanc and 19% Semillon.
The nose is dominated by peach, apricot, and fresh herb aromas with a touch of toasted oak derived from barrel-aging. The entry on the palate is rich, with the palate being similarly perfumed and rounded off with touches of spice and toasty oak.
An ideal companion for creamy soups, pastas and rich white meat dishes.
The wine is ready to be enjoyed now, but will develop complexity in the bottle over the next 2-3 years.
Vintage: 2009
Alcohol: 13.5%
UPC #: 6006856000175
Awards & Ratings:
* Michelangelo Silver 2009
* Veritas Silver 2009
* John Platter Guide – 4 stars
Tygerberg – Gewürtztraminer
Hand harvested grapes. This is an off dry wine with a brilliant straw color and a slight green tint.
The nose is perfumed with a good expression of rose petals and lychee. The palate flows through with floral flavors and a mélange of fruits, with a lingering finish. An elegant complex wine.
An ideal companion with spicy foods, curries and creamy pasta dishes.
The wine is ready to be enjoyed now, but will develop complexity in the bottle over the next 2-3 years.
Vintage: 2008
Alcohol: 13.5%
UPC #: 6006856000205
Awards & Ratings:
* Michelangelo Silver 2009
Tygerberg – Shiraz
A full-bodied dry wine with 3% Viognier and 97% Shiraz.
An intense ruby red color with dark fruit flavors with a floral hint on the nose. These flavors follow through to produce a complex wine with a velvety finish.
An ideal companion to red meats and cheese dishes.
The wine is ready to be enjoyed now, but will develop complexity in the bottle over the next 5-7 years.
Vintage: 2006
Alcohol: 13.5%
UPC #:
Note on awards:
Michelangelo uses the 100 point scoring system, and for a wine to receive a silver medal, it must have an average score of between 86 - 92.
Veritas uses the 20 point scoring system, and for a wine to receive a silver medal, it must have an average score of 16/20.
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