I haven’t had the opportunity to try many wines from South Africa, so I was glad to give this one a shot.  Two Oceans wine is named for the two oceans that converge at the Cape in South Africa.

The label on this wine says that it has “ripe gooseberry flavors” but I don’t think I’ve ever tasted gooseberries, so I’m not sure about that.  What I am sure of is that this wine is characteristically different from Sauvignon Blanc I’ve tasted from other regions.  There is something much more earthy in the nose on this one.  It does have the tropical fruit aromas you would expect from a Sauvignon Blanc, but they are slightly restrained.  That’s not a bad thing, it’s just different.

Melon, apricot, lemon, flint and dried straw make an interesting bouquet.  Really, it’s that dried straw aroma that makes this wine different than other Sauvignon Blanc I’ve tasted.  It’s funny though, often a SB will have a “grassy” characteristic but this one is like a dried grass making it rather earthy.  The palate is tart and minerally.  It’s like green apples and flint stones, followed by more apple, apricot and melon on a lengthy finish.

To me, this wine is slightly off balance.  That said, there are some interesting characteristics to it and if you’re looking for a very acidic white you may like it.

Wine: Two Oceans
Variety: Sauvignon Blanc
Vintage: 2008
Alcohol: 12%
Rating: 81
Price: $7.99

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