Sakkie Mouton Gerookte Snoek Dry Rosé 2026

Sakkie Mouton Gerookte Snoek Dry Rosé 2026 blends 60% Arinarnoa and 40% Lledoner Pelut. Together, these varieties bring red fruit aromas, vivid citrus flavours and a pronounced salty character to this distinctive South African rosé.

Vineyards

The Arinarnoa grows on sandy soils in Vredendal. Meanwhile, the Lledoner Pelut grows as unirrigated bush vines at 600 metres above sea level on Citrusdal Mountain. Both vineyards are less than ten years old.

Arinarnoa is a crossing of Cabernet Sauvignon and Tannat. Alongside Lledoner Pelut, it showcases two varieties that are relatively new to South Africa.

Winemaking and Maturation

The team picked the grapes early in the morning to preserve freshness. They then cooled the fruit before pressing both varieties as whole bunches. After settling the juice overnight, they transferred it to 400- and 500-litre barrels.

Next, the winemaker added Assyrtiko lees to the Arinarnoa to reduce colour and contribute natural tannins. Wild fermentation took place in barrel over three weeks at 14°C. Afterwards, the wine spent four months on its gross lees, adding complexity.

Although malolactic fermentation occurred naturally, the wine retained its fresh acidity. Finally, the team bottled the wine without fining or filtration, adding only a small amount of sulphur.

Tasting Notes

Red fruit aromas lead to intense citrus flavours on the palate. Alongside this fruit character, pronounced salinity brings a distinctive savoury edge. Fresh acidity completes the wine’s dry, lively profile.

Technical Details

• Blend: 60% Arinarnoa and 40% Lledoner Pelut
• Wine of Origin: Olifantsriver
• Vintage: 2026
• Style: Dry rosé
• Alcohol: 13.43%
• Total Acidity: 7.2 g/L
• Residual Sugar: 2.0 g/L
• pH: 3.22
• Maturation: Four months on gross lees
• Fining and Filtration: Unfined and unfiltered