Is Fairview Altesse 2024 a Bold New Legacy?

Is Fairview Altesse 2024 a Bold New Legacy?

Fairview have released the first white wine in their Regional Revival Range. Fairview Altesse is a classic Bordeaux-style white blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon with a Darling maritime zest. Renowned for doing things differently, Fairview’s Regional Revival Range is a collection that reimagines the great wines of the Old World: Italy, Spain, and France, with an unmistakable Cape twist.

“The Fairview Altesse 2024, a delightful exploration of flavours, textures, and aromas, is a testament to the extraordinary cool-climate West Coast vineyards we are privileged to farm”, says Charles Back, third-generation owner of Fairview.

“The name Altesse symbolises the altitude and the sea, the two biggest influences in Darling’s unique terroir that inspired this wine. Grown on the cool rolling hills surrounding Darling, Fairview’s vines gaze down over the cold Atlantic Ocean and the distant beach breakers at Yzerfontein, capturing the cool whispers of the ocean.

Here, altitude and sea meet to shape a white blend rooted in tradition, yet alive with a refreshing Cape influence. A harmony of Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon, it is a wine with finesse, purity of fruit, and a notable sense of place, brimming with maritime vitality. 

Bordeaux’s white blends, with their balance of tension and texture, served as inspiration here, but the result is something uniquely our own, shaped by the coastal climate of Darling and our restless pursuit of characterful wines. Altesse – a Darling revival where terroir reigns.”

FAIRVIEW ALTESSE 2024

The Blend:

It is a blend of 55% Sauvignon Blanc and 45% Sémillon, Fairview Altesse is a wine that beautifully balances freshness and richness, a gracious symphony of the Sauvignon’s crisp citrus-driven vitality and the Sémillon’s depth and texture.

Fairview Altesse The Story:

Charles Back continues, “Inspired by the excellent quality of our Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon grown on the upper slopes of the Darling Hills overlooking the ocean, we introduced a new member to our Regional Revival Range.

This beautifully composed Bordeaux-style white blend needed a name that expressed the essence of its unique coastal climate where the high altitude and proximity to the sea have a pivotal impact on the quality of the wine.

While reading one day, I came across the word Altesse and became enamoured with it as a captivating anagram for Altitude and Sea”.

The label:

The label itself tells the story: a striking design reminiscent of a vintage postage stamp, featuring a lighthouse standing watch over rolling vineyards and ocean waves.

It’s a nod to the place that defines this wine. Where the cold Atlantic meets the hills of Darling, where vines grow in the rhythm of the sea breeze, and where terroir reigns supreme.

In the vineyard:

Anthony de Jager, Fairview’s cellarmaster, comments, “The Altesse is produced from our best Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon sites on our Alexanderfontein and Lanner Hill West Coast farms. Here, the altitude and cooling ocean influences provide a longer ripening period, allowing grapes to retain acidity while developing complex aromas and flavours.

Darling’s ancient soils are deep, lime-rich, and red-clay-based, providing excellent moisture retention and drainage capabilities. This soil profile, combined with the region’s climate, creates an optimal setting for dryland farming, allowing for the production of wines with a clear expression of their terroir”.

In the cellar:

Harvested early in the morning, the grapes arrived at the cellar before sunrise. Whole berries were gently pressed, and the juice settled for 48 hours.

The Sauvignon Blanc component was fermented and aged in stainless steel for 9 months on the gross lees to enhance complexity, while the Sémillon was fermented in 500L French oak and aged for a further 9 months in oak.

In the glass:

Straw in colour with a touch of green in the glass, Altesse entices with a vibrant mix of white peach, orange blossom, green figs, herbs, zesty lime notes, and a touch of sea spray, typical of Fairview’s cool-climate Darling vineyards.

The palate hums with energy, abounding with bright lime and citrus, the Sauvignon’s lifting freshness seamlessly interwoven with the richer notes and generous mouthfeel from the judiciously oaked Sémillon. A radiant expression of its coastal terroir, Altesse rounds off with a lingering saline minerality characteristic of the Cape West Coast.

This elegantly layered wine, ever evolving in the glass, is showing beautifully now, but will gain complexity with cellaring. All in all, it is a gorgeous wine driven by its origin, shaped by the ocean, and made for those who appreciate a little adventure in their glass.

Food Recommendation:

A wine like this begs for food. Think grilled West Coast fish and a zesty salsa verde, prawns with lemon butter, a creamy seafood risotto, slow-roasted chicken, or even a simple, well-aged cheese.

It has the presence to stand up to rich, layered flavours but the verve to keep you coming back for more.

Price: R190

available from the Fairview cellar door Or selected fine wine merchants

Purchase:

Fairview Altesse is available from the Fairview cellar door and at select fine wine merchants around the country.  Or shop online at https://fairviewmarketplace.co.za/product/fairview-altesse-regional-revival-range-fairview-wines

FAIRVIEW’S REGIONAL REVIVAL RANGE

Fairview’s Regional Revival Range showcases small-batch, site-expressive winemaking at its finest, crafted with the belief that great wines should tell a story of time and place. Rising in popularity since its inception, the Regional Revival Range is beloved for each bottle’s striking decorative label design and extraordinary food-pairing compatibility. The Fairview Altesse is the latest addition to this popular range of three red wines.

This intriguing range now includes:

• Fairview Altesse 2024: A classic Bordeaux-style white blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon with a Darling maritime zest.
• Fairview Homtini 2022: This wine is the Fairview team’s take on Italy’s Super Tuscans: a blend of Sangiovese (Tuscany’s signature grape) with Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Shiraz.
• Fairview Extraño2021: This wine is a Rioja-styled blend of Tempranillo and Grenache. The primary red grapes in Rioja in Spain are carefully integrated with Shiraz and Cinsault.
• Fairview Caldera 2022: This classic Southern Rhône-style blend is one of the Cape’s first Grenache/Shiraz/Mourvèdre (GSM) blends.

FAIRVIEW HOMTINI 2022

“This Italian Stallion is a Super Darling”, says Fairview’s cellarmaster Anthony de Jager.  A blend of Sangiovese (Tuscany’s signature grape) with Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Shiraz from Fairview’s Darling vineyards, it takes its cue from the Super Tuscans of Italy, where red wines from Tuscany may include non-indigenous grapes, particularly Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Syrah.

The Story:

Told by Anthony de Jager: “Homtini translates as a ‘difficult passage’ in the long-forgotten Khoi language. The awesome Homtini Pass, near Knysna, winds its way through indigenous forests to the now almost deserted Gouna settlement.

This was once the home of my Italian ancestors, the Rabbolinis, who were silk farmers from Northern Italy. They immigrated to South Africa under the misconception that mulberry trees grew in abundance. On arrival, they discovered that no mulberry trees existed, but through tenacity and hard work, they tamed the land and ultimately prospered in other trades, including winemaking.

I honour the pioneering spirit of my forefathers with this wine, blending Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Shiraz into a refined Italian-style blend. This is a special blend, an ideal food wine, and it tells a story that I’m honoured to be a part of. Bellissimo!”

Tasting Notes:

Youthful, bright cherry red in the glass, the nose invites with plum and mulberries with hints of forest floor and oak spice. The palate is medium bodied with red berry fruit and warm spice flavours. Cool-climate acidity and a firm, fine tannin structure make for an age-worthy wine which will evolve excellently for 5 to 8 years under good storage conditions.

Food Recommendation:

A winner for any dinner party! Homtini suits most Italian-style dishes – be it rich tomato-based pastas or flavourful pork tenderloin.

Recognition: 

A regular 4½-Star performer in Platter’s SA Wine Guide, the 2019 vintage achieved the pinnacle5-star rating in Platter’s 2023 Guide.

FAIRVIEW EXTRAÑO 2021

This wine is a bold and savoury Rioja-styled blend of Tempranillo and Grenache. The primary red grapes in Rioja are carefully integrated with Shiraz and Cinsault. “Spanish temperament in a red wine glass!” according to cellarmaster Anthony de Jager.

The Story:

There is a stranger (extraño) in the Cape’s vineyards, named Tempranillo. Originally domiciled in Spain where it is revered as a noble grape, Tempranillo has now taken root in local soils (not so much a stranger anymore) and produces grapes of exceptional quality, like those used for this blend.

To help temper this rustic grape variety’s temperamental streak, Fairview have carefully integrated fellow Spaniard Grenache to add fruit and freshness, Shiraz for mid-palate weight and spice, and Cinsault to soften the wine and add some floral and earthy notes. “This red will pack a punch and WOW any hearty meal. Arriba! Arriba! Bring out those castanets!” says Anthony de Jager.

Tasting Notes:

Dark burgundy in the glass, it entices with aromas of dark berries, plums, warm and sweet spices (clove and cinnamon). and vanilla pod. The palate is full bodied with broody dark fruit and peppery spice. Typical of Tempranillo, it has firm tannins ensuring good ageing for 5 to 8 years. The finish is savoury and dry – a good partner to hearty meals.

Food Recommendation:

This full-bodied, food-friendly red pairs perfectly with tapas and spicy Mediterranean dishes. Also enjoy with mature cheese, a charcuterie platter, or chargrilled lean meats.

Recognition:

A regular 4½-Star performer in Platter’s SA Wine Guide, the 2020 vintage was also rated Top 10 with 93 Points in Winemag.co.za’s Prescient 2023 Signature Red Blend Report.

FAIRVIEW CALDERA 2022

This classic Southern Rhône-style blend is one of the Cape’s first Grenache/Shiraz/Mourvèdre (GSM) blends and a staple in the Fairview range.

The Story:

This wine is named after a ‘calderata’, a traditional Catalan earthenware pot used for cooking, to reflect its Mediterranean character.

Tasting Notes:

The wine is opaque bright red in colour with fruit-forward notes of summer berries, fynbos, and a hint of pepper. It is medium-bodied and fresh on the palate with flavours of red cherry and spices, with fine tannins, and an indulgent and lengthy dry finish. Perfect for pairing with food!

Food Recommendation:

An excellent match for a wide range of culinary delights, Fairview Caldera is a go-to choice for grilled red meats, hearty stews, and Mediterranean-style cuisine. It is also delicious with ratatouille or grilled mushrooms.

Recognition:

The Caldera 2022 was honoured with a pinnacle5-star rating in Platter’s 2025 wine guide, an incredible follow-on from the 2021 vintage’s 5-star rating in the previous guide.

Purchase:

Fairview’s Regional Revival Range is available from the Fairview cellar door and at select fine wine merchants around the country.  Or shop online at: https://fairviewmarketplace.co.za/category/regional-revival

Prices:

• Altesse, Homtini and Caldera: R190 per bottle
• Extraño: R170 per bottle