Newton Johnson Albarino 2021

Newton Johnson Vineyards is owned and managed by the Newton Johnson family. Their vineyards are located in the upper Hemel-en-Aarde Valley appellation which lies at an altitude of 150 to 300 metres above sea level in the sole emergence of igneous granite in the Southern Cape which is described as porphyritic, having cooled in stages to distinct sizes of crystal, and decomposed further into the soil structure. Lower down, clays formed help protect the vines from temperature change and dehydration. It is believed that the granite provides the linear and perfumed characters of Newton Johnson wines.

This Portuguese varietal seems to have found a new home here in Walker Bay where it was planted in 2008 facing the sea. “Now up to 10,000 bottles, with more grapes in the ground, this textbook Albariño gets better with every vintage as the vines get older. Concrete egg and barrel fermentation, as well as some skin contact, add extra complexity to this rich, floral, salty, lime-scented white.” – Tim Atkin MW, South African Special Report 2019