2018 Cape Point Isliedh

The 2018 Isliedh is a blend of 75% Sauvignon Blanc and 25% Sémillon from a specific parcel, 75% barrel-fermented and matured in 40% new oak for 10 months. It has a more backward, reticent bouquet compared to recent vintages, gradually opening with Golden Delicious apple and yellow plum. The palate is fresh, vibrant and complex, offering crisp acidity and flavors of gooseberry, yellow plum (again), sea salt, pink grapefruit and veins of stem ginger. This feels very focused, one of the more cerebral Isliedh releases in recent years. The long, Muscat-tinged aftertaste is an added bonus.