Diemersdal Noble Late Harvest Sauvignon Blanc 2024

Diemersdal Noble Late Harvest Sauvignon Blanc shows Durbanville’s signature grape at its most indulgent. Instead of picking at the usual time, the Diemersdal team leaves a selected parcel of Sauvignon Blanc hanging on the vine. There it waits for Botrytis cinerea, the “noble rot” behind great sweet wines such as Sauternes, to take hold. The fungus shrivels the grapes and concentrates their natural sugars and flavours, and the wine is then matured in barrel to build depth and texture.

The result is a glowing golden nectar. The nose has the classic noble-rot character of ripe tropical fruit, tangy dried fruit and hints of almond. The palate is rich and generous, with honey, apricot and marmalade over a gentle note of toasted nuts. Sauvignon Blanc’s naturally bright acidity keeps it fresh and lively, so the sweetness never feels heavy and the finish is clean and lingering. Serve it chilled with crème brûlée, fruit tarts, pâté or a plate of blue cheese, or on its own as a dessert in itself.