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The Liberator Episode 43 Companion Plants of the Sandveld 2024

13% abv

Vol- 75cl

The first ever single varietal Sauvignon Blanc Liberator release…? And a barrel-fermented example, at that.

The complexity found within this wine is defined by considering the holistic view of its provenance and the symbiotic influence of the immediate environment. There is one single factor here which Rick believes helps to produce a wine that is significantly greater than the sum of its parts.

That element is buchu (boegoe in Afrikaans or, to give it its scientific name: Agathosma betulina). Buchu is a traditional healing herb which is also part of the fynbos kingdom of plants. It is endemic to the south-western Cape. Rare and incredibly site specific, its oil was literally once worth its weight in gold. It is said that one could trade a whole sheep for just one thimbleful of its unctuous extract.

At Tierhoek, the buchu grows in a very thin cordon directly above the Sauvignon Blanc vineyard. Pick a sprig and rub the leaves and the plant emits an immediate powerful scent of menthol or eucalypt. One can sense the same aromas locked into the flavour profile of the wine, much in the same way as the Heitz’s much-famed ‘Martha’s Vineyard’ Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is said to be influenced by the grove of eucalyptus trees that surrounds the parcel of vines.

Episode 43 represents just three 300 litre barrels of the 2024 vintage Sauvignon Blanc, influenced by the coincidental companionship of the native buchu.

105 cases

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£23.00inclusive of Duty and VAT

Limited stock, only 1 remaining

Some say that The Liberator conjures up images of a disguised, cloaked superhero, charging around the Winelands rescuing bottles in distress. But this is no Superman. He’s just plain Rick; a Cape crusader perhaps, but one where cloaks are exchanged for a rather tatty Harris Tweed jacket and any superhuman powers are substituted by a supposedly blessed palate. On his regular jaunts around the Cape, Rick is confounded by the number of great wines that are resigned to a tragic fate of being blended away or disposed of in bulk. It might be an occasional experimental batch, or possibly an interesting off-cut from some proud winemaker’s latest premium release. Whatever their provenance, it’s his mission as The Liberator to procure these precious vinous orphans and consign them to a better home. Inevitably, each wine discovered by The Liberator comes with its own story; a tale of its untimely existence. You’ll find that every release has its testimony recounted, in bottle and on screen, as a unique and evocative Episode.

Reference #:
22857
Strength
13 ABV
Bottles per Case
6 bottles
Grapes
Sauvignon Blanc
Organic
No
Biodynamic
No
Vegan
No
Vegetarian
No
Sparkling
No

What do I pay for delivery?

Orders under £150 are charged an initial £9.95 incl. VAT.

Northern Ireland, Isle of Man, Isles of Scilly.
Orders under £190 are charged an initial £12.00 incl.

All stock bought from Bond will be charged at delivery cost as quoted by the bond. As this varies dependent on the location of the wines and ultimate destination this will be quoted to you at the point of billing for VAT and duty.

And can we change order.

Deliveries are normally between 09.00 and 17.00 Tuesday to Friday and a signature is required on receipt of delivery. (We do not ship on a Friday for Monday delivery unless specifically requested to do so).

A shipping confirmation email will be sent when your order has been processed and shipped. You will be sent a further email and/or text with a delivery time slot and a consignment number along with instructions on how to amend this if required.

If you are out a card is left, with an instruction to call the local depot to re-arrange delivery. Alternatively, you can inform us to “leave safe”, “leave with a neighbour”, “leave in garage” etc. and we will pass this information onto the courier. Please remember that, in accordance with our Terms & Conditions, alcohol will only be left with persons over 18 Years Old.

A shipping confirmation email will be sent when your order has been processed and shipped. You will be sent a text with a delivery time slot and a consignment number along with instructions on how to amend this if required.

We use Mailsafe packaging and double walled cardboard boxes for secure shipping of all bottles. Clear labelling marked FRAGILE is applied and all our despatches.

UK mainland deliveries are overnight from confirmation of despatch with the exception of the following postcodes where deliveries are made on a 2 to 5 day service from despatch : 

IV 3 to 11, IV14 to 28, IV 40 & IV 51 to 54, IV 63. KW 1 to 3 & KW 5 to 14. PH 33 to 41

 

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