The Swartland is blessed with an abundance of old vine Chenin and we use this as the backbone of our white blend. We then add several small parcels of Mediterranean varieties for complexity, balance and aromatic lift. The grapes come from vineyard parcels in different parts of the Swartland: the stony Shale and Schist based soils of the Kasteelberg, the decomposed Granite of the Paardeberg and the rolling, iron-rich hills west of Malmesbury.
Fermentation is in barrel with indigenous yeasts and the wine is aged for 11 months in French oak barrels, 20% new.
TASTING NOTES
Pale straw in colour, this wine has a nose of ripe, green citrus fruit and Christmas spices. The palate is fresh and richly textured, with notes of ripe pears, almonds and peaches, and a clove-like finish. Best served at about 12 ˚C, this wine will show optimally when decanted in the first 3 years after bottling.
ACCOLADES
- 2010 – 5 Stars Platter, 91 WA, 17.5 JR
- 2011 – 4.5 Stars Platter, 94 Tim Atkin, 92 Steve Tanzer
- 2012 – 4.5 Stars Platter, 91 WA, 18 JR
- 2013 – 4.5 Stars Platter, 92 WA, 17 JR
- 2014 – 5 Stars Platter, 93 WA
- 2015 – 4.5 Stars Platter, 90 WA
- 2016 – 4.5 Stars Platter, 94 Tim Atkin, 92 WS
- 2017 – 5 Stars Platter, 94 Tim Atkin, 91 Vinous, 92 WS
- 2018 – 5 Stars Platter (96),94 Tim Atkin, 92 Vinous, 90 WA
- 2019 – 4.5 Stars Platter (93), 95 Tim Atkin
- 2020 – 5 Stars Platter (96), 95 TA, 90+ NM – “White Blend of the Year for 2022 Platter”
- 2021 – 5 Stars Platter (95), 96 CE, 95 GS, 94 TA 94, 93 NM, 93 JS