Cecil John Reserve Sauvignon Blanc
⏳ Drinking Window
2023 - 2027
🍽️ Food & Wine Pairings
goat cheese salad, fresh oysters, grilled sea bass
✨ Technical Specifications
The Cecil John Reserve Sauvignon Blanc is a tribute to Cecil John Rhodes, who purchased the historic Boschendal estate in 1897, saving it from the devastating phylloxera crisis and securing its future as a pioneer of South African agriculture. Sourced from select cool-climate vineyards within the Coastal Region, this wine captures the dramatic maritime influence and diverse soils of the Cape. The winemaking team utilizes gentle pressing and cold fermentation in stainless steel to preserve the pristine fruit character, followed by extended lees contact to impart a creamy texture and complex mineral depth to the vibrant, herbaceous palate.
🍾 About the Producer
Established in 1685 by Huguenot settler Jean le Long and developed by the De Villiers family, Boschendal is one of the oldest wine estates in South Africa. Anchored in the Groot Drakenstein Valley between Franschhoek and Stellenbosch, the estate's vineyards span granite, sandstone, and alluvial terraces sheltered by the Simonsberg and Drakenstein mountain ranges. This dramatic topographical setting yields a Mediterranean macroclimate defined by cool mountain breezes, dry summers, and generous winter rainfall, delivering vibrant natural acidity. Viticulture adheres to rigorous environmental stewardship as a WWF Conservation Champion and Integrated Production of Wine (IPW) practitioner. The winemaking philosophy emphasizes purity, site transparency, and textural balance across both stainless steel and French oak regimes. Boschendal is celebrated for its benchmark Cap Classique sparkling wines, including the Jean Le Long Prestige Cuvée, as well as exceptional still whites like the 1685 Chenin Blanc, Appellation Series Chardonnay, Suzanne white blend, and botrytised Vin D'Or Noble Late Harvest.
🍇 Grapes
Sauvignon Blanc
🍷 ABV
13-13.5%