Hermanuspietersfontein, Kat Met Die Houtbeen 2024
You’ve probably heard of the quaint beach town of Hermanus, situated on South Africa’s famous Whale Coast. Between 1855 and 1902, it was called Hermanuspietersfontein. In 1902, the local postmaster decided to shorten the name of the town to make addressing letters to the locals easier.
150 years later, the wine farm Hermanuspietersfontein, or HPF for short, craft outstanding wines with a serious sense of place. Their grapes come from Sondagskloof, which competes with Elgin and the Ceres Plateau for South Africa’s coolest wine growing region.
‘Kat Met Die Houtbeen’ translates to ‘Cat With The Wooden Leg’ from Afrikaans. This alludes to the lithe nature of the wine as well as the use of oak.
This is a fuller style Sauvignon Blanc that ferments and ages for 9 months in French oak (30% new and 30% in second/third fill) and Stainless steel tank.
The 2024 vintage shows elegant aromas of exotic fruit (starfruit, dragon fruit) with undertones of tropical fruit (passionfruit and ripe pineapple) and yellow fruit (peaches). The palate is harmonious, elegant, and well-rounded supported by crisp freshness and a lingering minerality finish, giving the wine at least 7 years ageing potential.
£19.80
Sondagskloof, Walker Bay
Sauvignon Blanc
Bone-drySweet
Description
A fuller style Sauvignon blanc that ferments and ages in oak for 10-12 months depending on the vintage. HPF use old (75%) and new (25%) French oak pigeons (500L). Certain leaner vintages might contain a smidgeon of Sémillon to broaden the texture and palate. The earlier vintages (2012-2017) are more in a linear style and will start to showcase some tertiary flavours, where the younger vintages (2018-2021) will have elegant aromas of exotic fruit (starfruit, dragon fruit), undertones of tropical aromas (passionfruit and ripe pineapple) and yellow fruit (peaches). On the palate we strive to create a fine balance between elegant and a well-rounded wine, supported by crisp freshness, good length and minerality at the end. These wines will age for 7 years and beyond, provided stored under optimum conditions
ORIGIN: Sondagskloof
COMPOSITION: Sauvignon blanc 90% Semillon 10%
TECHNICAL ANALYSIS: ALCOHOL 13.38% RES.SUGAR 3,2g/l TOTAL ACIDITY 6.41 g/l pH 3.3 7
MATURATION IN OAK: 9 months in French Oak 30% in new French oak pigeons (500L); 30% in second/third fill French oak pigeons (500L); 40% unwooded
MATURATION IN BOTTLE BEFORE RELEASE: 3 months in tank and 6 months in bottle
AROMA PROFILE: Elegant aromas of exotic fruit (starfruit, dragon fruit), undertones of tropical aromas (passionfruit and ripe pineapple) and yellow fruit (peaches)
PALATE PROFILE: Harmonious, elegant, and well-rounded supported by crisp freshness, good length with minerality at the end
AGING POTENTIAL: 7 years and beyond, provided stored under optimum conditions
BOTTLING DATE December 2024
Additional information
| Vintage | 2024 |
|---|---|
| Grape | Sauvignon Blanc |
| Wine Farm | |
| Alcohol vol | 13.4% |
| Origin | Sondagskloof, Walker Bay |
Garlic and herb roast chicken or a classic chicken Caesar Salad if you’re in the mood for something a bit lighter.
1 review for Hermanuspietersfontein, Kat Met Die Houtbeen 2024
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” Loses ‘Met Die Houtbeen’ portion of moniker, remains sensational expression of cool-climate Sauvignon. 2024 intense, complex & bright tropical & citrus , some crushed herbs in harmony with firm acid & wet pebble minerality. Intricate winemaking: juice hyper-oxidised, part barrel-fermented, rest tank, then 10 months barrel, 25% new. Like 2023, no rush to open, good for many years.”
Platter’s Wine Guide 2026 –