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Silwervis Smiley Red NV 750ml

size
750ml
country
South Africa
appellation
Swartland
W&S
94
WA
90
W&S
94
Rated 94 by Wine & Spirits
A “smiley” is local parlance for a sheep’s head, which some consider a leftover after butchering an animal, and others consider a delicacy. The first release of this wine was made up of leftovers from the 2011 and ‘12 vintages. Then Ryan Mostert began to play with his varied lots of bush-vine chenin, leaving some on the skins, aging some under a blanket of yeast, and intentionally oxidizing some barrels by leaving them out in the sun. He blended this third release from lots aging in neutral barrels, stainless steel and glass demijohns. Whatever cloudiness you might find in the color is contrasted by the clarity of the flavor, as savory as veal stock, as bright as freshpicked fruit (maybe mango, maybe peach). There’s beautiful sunny coolness to this wine, along with a zesty shiso-like bite of acidity. It’s awesome deliciousness from the natural-wine camp. ... More details
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Silwervis Smiley Red NV 750ml

SKU 791828
Out of Stock
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Winery Silwervis
barrel

Region: Coastal Region

The coastal parts of South Africa, and in particular the region around Cape Town, have been important wine regions for a surprising length of time. Indeed, viticulture first began at the tip of the African continent back in the mid 17th century, when European settlers first began experimenting with the cooler and windier terroirs near the ocean, and recognizing the potential the area had for growing grapes of real character and distinction. Those early experiments slowly but surely led to a powerful wine industry, and South African wines became famous throughout Europe for their quality and big, fruity, bold flavors Today, the coastal regions of South Africa produce a huge amount of wine, made in sparkling, still and fortified styles, and utilizing a wide range of grape varietals.
fields

Country: South Africa

Situated on the very tip of the African continent, South Africa has proved itself over three centuries to be an ideal location for producing a wide range of wines. Benefiting from something not dissimilar to a Mediterranean climate, with long, hot summers complemented by both Atlantic and Indian Ocean winds, the grapes which grow on the valleys, mountainsides and plains of this fascinating country can ripen to their fullest capacity, producing wines packed full of fruity flavors and an array of interesting and enticing aromas. As a former colony, South Africa has long since been home to a range of different nationalities, who each brought something of their wine culture with them. As such, many European grape varietals such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Riesling and others have been given time to flourish in South Africa, allowing the country to develop a diverse group of wine types which are proving increasingly popular around the world.