Southern Right Sauvignon Blanc 2024

Region and Vineyards

Southern Right sources fruit primarily from Hemel-en-Aarde (46%), Walker Bay (49%), and Elgin (5%), three of the Cape's coolest maritime-influenced regions. The close proximity to the Atlantic Ocean ensures strong coastal breezes, tempering summer heat and preserving natural acidity, while also enhancing the mineral precision of the wines.

The 2024 vintage faced challenges, including a destructive Cape storm in September that reduced yields. Nevertheless, Sauvignon Blanc thrived, producing small berries with excellent acidity. The summer was warmer than the unusually cool 2023 vintage, leading to earlier ripening. Careful vineyard selection was essential, resulting in wines of notable tension, texture, and aromatic clarity. Soil diversity is at the core of this cuvée: clay-rich shale (46%) provided structure, granitic soils (28%) contributed openness and perfume, and Table Mountain sandstone (26%) enhanced brightness and saline minerality.

Winemaking

Southern Right pursues a restrained and terroir-focused approach, ensuring that the voice of the vineyard is not overshadowed by varietal pungency. In 2024, 8% of the wine was matured in neutral barrels, imparting subtle roundness without overt oak influence, while the majority was vinified in stainless steel to preserve vibrancy and precision.

The resulting balance is a hallmark of Southern Right: combining the taut minerality and length reminiscent of the Old World with the textural generosity of the New World. Alcohol remained moderate at 13.51%, with high natural acidity (6.8 g/l) and a precise pH of 3.34, creating both freshness and complexity.

Tasting Notes

• Color: Pale straw with green reflections, bright and youthful.
• Aroma: Subtle layers of citrus zest, green apple, and white peach, lifted by saline minerality, crushed stone, and a delicate herbal edge. Understated perfume from granitic parcels adds finesse.
• Palate: Tense, linear and mineral-driven with vibrant acidity. Textural weight from clay-rich soils complements flavours of lime, gooseberry, and pear, unfolding into a long, salty, and finely etched finish.

Did you know?

Southern Right's identity is linked to the Southern Right whale, often seen in nearby Walker Bay. Every bottle contributes to whale conservation, making this Sauvignon Blanc a symbol of both fine wine craftsmanship and ecological responsibility.

Wine Pairing Ideas

• Fresh oysters - the saline minerality of the wine accentuates the briny freshness of shellfish.
• Grilled sea bass - the wine's bright acidity and subtle texture harmonise with the delicacy of the fish.
• Goat cheese crottin - the tangy creaminess of the cheese pairs beautifully with Sauvignon Blanc's zesty edge.
• Thai green curry - aromatic herbs and spice resonate with the wine's herbal lift and textural depth.

History of Southern Right

Anthony Hamilton Russell, already at the helm of Hamilton Russell Vineyards since 1991, created Southern Right in 1994 to redefine South Africa's unique Pinotage in a more classic and internationally resonant style. His vision was to craft wines that balanced the distinctiveness of South African fruit with the refinement associated with fine European wines.

In 2005, Southern Right secured a permanent home when a 1,125-acre property was acquired on the western border of Hamilton Russell Vineyards. Just a few years later, in 2009, a modern 350-ton Overberg-style cellar was completed, designed specifically for Pinotage and Sauvignon Blanc. This facility marked a significant milestone, enabling the estate to fully control production with precision and quality.

Today, Southern Right is managed by Anthony Hamilton Russell alongside winemaker Emul Ross and viticulturist Johan Montgomery, who together ensure the wines remain true to the philosophy of terroir expression. Southern Right forms part of Hamilton Russell's family of estates, which also includes Ashbourne and Hamilton Russell Vineyards.

Region and Vineyards

Southern Right is situated in the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley, one of South Africa's most acclaimed cool-climate wine regions. The name, meaning "Heaven and Earth" in Afrikaans, is a fitting description of the dramatic coastal landscape where vineyards are just a few kilometres from the South Atlantic Ocean. The cool maritime influence tempers summer heat, allowing for slow ripening and the retention of natural acidity.

The soils are equally influential, with a mix of clay-rich Bokkeveld shale, decomposed granite, and sandstone. These bring both structural depth and mineral freshness to the wines. Southern Right farms its vineyards organically and is certified sustainable under the Integrated Production of Wine (IPW) scheme. Furthermore, it has been recognised as a champion of biodiversity by the Biodiversity & Wine Initiative, reflecting its commitment to ecological stewardship.

Wine Range of Southern Right

Southern Right focuses on two key wines:

• Southern Right Pinotage - A reinterpretation of South Africa's emblematic red grape. Grown on clay soils, this Pinotage is intense yet classically styled, delivering complex berry fruit, fine tannins, and subtle spice. It embodies both ripeness and freshness, setting a benchmark for modern Pinotage.
• Southern Right Sauvignon Blanc - Crafted reductively to preserve freshness and terroir expression, it marries Old World minerality and length with hints of New World fruit generosity. Fruit from clay, granite, and sandstone soils adds structure, perfume, and saline brightness, elevating it well beyond a simple varietal style.

Did you know?

The estate is named after the Southern Right whale, an endangered species that frequents the nearby Walker Bay. With every bottle sold, Southern Right contributes to whale conservation efforts, uniting fine wine with environmental protection.