Spectator's Sauvignon Buy of the Year: Bayten's Amazing 2016 Bests the 'Big Dogs'!

 

Name flows right off the palate, right? Well, to the Dutch who settled this farm back in the 1770’s it certainly does.  The property has always flourished as a vineyard ever since the original planting of 90,000 vines back in 1825 by Ryk Arnoldus Cloete, brother of the famous Hendrik Cloete of Constantia.

 

That’s right, 1825.

 

Now granted, back then a good portion of the fruit was also used to distill brandy to fortify travelers sailing around the Cape of Good Hope. Not to mention much of the fruit was probably eaten as a tasty way for the sailors to fight scurvy on their extended trading trips.

 

But the cool part is, when you manage to get your tongue around it, Buitenverwachting (pronounced bay-ten-fur-vachk-ting) is Dutch for “beyond expectation.”  For me, I cannot think of a more apropos, unpronounceable word to describe today’s offer.

 

Speaking of the now, locals lovingly refer to the farm nowadays simply as Bayten (Hmm, I wonder why…). Nestled at the base of the imposing Constantia Mountain, it’s just a few miles from the pure blue waters of False Bay. And, though the farm’s history dates back to 1773, it has been only since 1982 that the wine has flowed again, the property having been extensively renovated and replanted.

 

Their Sauvignon Blanc is planted in soils of Clovelly and Tukulu, both forms of decomposed granite. The vineyards are dry farmed, and range in age from 4–20 years.

 

Let me tell you, there must be gold in them thar decomposed granite soils. Sauvignon Blanc gold. Because this wine is an absolute knockout.

 

“Beyond expectations?” How about shattering expectations!  We tried the Bayten Estate Sauvignon Blanc Constantia Valley 2016 the other day and literally had our minds and palates blown.

 

I can’t think of a more perfect, genuine, dialed-in, viscerally thrilling bottle of Sauvignon Blanc I’ve tasted in the past year. It is absolutely remarkable wine. The price? A ridiculously generous bonus.

 

The 2016 harvest was picture-perfect. It was warm, dry, sunny and, even though these vineyards are dry-farmed, showed absolutely no water stress throughout the season. The winery picked perfectly ripened fruit whenever it wanted then, in proper fashion, did absolutely nothing to it. Aging in stainless steel for three months, then bottled. BAM.

 

This crisp, zesty Sauvignon Blanc displays textbook aromas and flavors of green fig, gooseberry and lime. The focus extends from aroma to palate, a laser beam of tropical and citrus fruits buttressed by a warm minerality.

 

In short?  Your new House SB.

 

The wine got a monster 92-point score from Wine Spectator recently. As you know, the magazine no longer hands out big numbers, preferring to remain ultra-conservative with their points.

 

We didn’t know how conservative until we did some research on new world Sauvignon Blancs reviewed by them in the past year.

 

As you can see from the chart at the lead of this piece, Bayten has received the third-highest score from Spectator in the past year. The two wines above it?  Heavy-duty barrel-aged Cali Sauvignons that, of course, sell for 4-6 times the price.

 

Spectator wrote, “This is refined, with a steely spine that lets gooseberry, verbena and white peach flavors streak through. A hint of shortbread adds range and mouthfeel along the edges. The long finish has lovely cut. Drink now through 2019. 92 Points!”

 

Uh, you think this one has a shot at their Top 100 this year? This is one you’ll want to buy by the case and drink over the next two summers. Remarkable wine!