Tasting Notes

Nose

Crushed laurel on the nose with more than a nuance of residual seaside salt.

Palate

This has a big and textured palate with stone fruit and fennel hints – it is rich and minerally, showing even a slight rocky quality about it. As bracing as the wind through the vines at Waterkloof.

Production

Tasting Notes

Nose

Crushed for flavour not colour, this 40 year old unirrigated bush vine wine sucks only from the rocks underground. Bright, expressive and gently savoury on the nose. 

Palate

Along with its blushing hue, the palate rewards with fresh pomegranate flavour and acidity, savoury gamey notes, and a bright, beating heart of cherry ripe fruit. Slightly chilled with pink duck, pink lamb or carpaccio of beef, this is a beautifully defined expression of South Africa’s most achingly fashionable varietal.

Mourvedre is perfect for Waterkloof, with its head in the sun and feet in the sea. So, not one to follow fashion, Paul Boutinot has made it the most planted red grape on this biodynamic farm. Cape Coral Rosé has vindicated that decision, promptly proving itself to be one of the finest rosés in The Southern Hemisphere, if not The World. Pale in colour and discreet of fragrance, yet with a palate weight and texture that makes it a decidedly gastronomic rosé.

Tasting Notes 

Colour

Pale salmon colour

Nose

Delicate aromas of peach, spice and herbs are prominent on the nose.

Palate

A fresh, yet broadly textured mouthfeel with a long, savoury and deeply satisfying finish. This rather grown-up wine makes a wonderful partner to almost any dish you care to prepare.

'Rooibos! Distinct terroir character here – whether it’s fynbos or tea or whatever, it certainly seems to reflect its home. Excellent softness and complexity. As valid a fine wine as many reds or whites – really shows what great rosé can do. Finishes with a long, mealy length.' – Richard Hemming MW, JancisRobinson.com, 17/20

'A delightfully pale coloured Rosé. Delicate red berry aromas combined with a flinty note are prominent on the nose. The palate is soft with a lingering fresh acidity on the aftertaste. Traditionally the wine is served chilled on its own, but also marries well with spicy, tuna-based sushi.' – Nadia Barnard

Awards

The Wine Merchant Top 100 2016 - 2015 Vintage

"Home of the Worlds Best Shiraz"

As luck would have it, Shiraz grapes love poor,  gravelly soil - just the kind of soil Hartenberg has in abundance on parts of the farm. The kind you need to produce world-beating Shiraz.

Tasting Notes 

Nose

Initially the nose shows an abundance of black fruits and sweet spice aromas, later opening up to a more savoury, umami character. 

Palate 

The Estate

On the slopes of Bottelary Hills bordering Stellenbosch, is a family estate where nature provides the perfect backdrop to grow, produce and share award-winning wines. Summer at Hartenberg brings picnics on the lawns followed by buoyant games of boule. Winter invites you to intimate fireside lunches and sumptuous reds, smoky charcuterie and olives, and sensorial cellar tours. Our Wetland Conservation Area, alongside the vineyards, makes for a beautiful setting for walks and shared family fun.

History

This was another excellent vintage for the growing of red wines in Stellenbosch, with hot, dry weather resulting in small and concentrated berries. Grapes were hand-picked and, after crushing, only 20% of the juice was drawn off for use in this wine. This juice was cold-soaked overnight, then two Rhone-sourced yeasts were inoculated. The oak component was made up of 100% French.

Once again, Nature has smiled upon us because the very same vineyards on Hartenberg with the perfect soils for Shiraz, also have the perfect weather for it.

All we have to do to make our award-winning Shiraz is harness what we already have, and stick it in a bottle. To be absolutely honest, it would be more difficult for us to produce a poor Shiraz on Hartenberg than a good one.

Accolades

‘Hartenberg's estate Shiraz is made with grapes from The Stork and Gravel Hill blocks that didn’t make it into the single-vineyard bottlings, so no wonder it's so impressive. Big and bold - what Carl Schultz calls a "lurker" - with iodine, cooked meat and spicy oak notes and plenty of grip. 2023-30.’ – Tim Atkin MW, SA Special Report 2021, 93/100

Specifications

At the Western Cape’s Pinnacle Point, evidence remains in maritime caves of our earliest known ancestors - a primitive culture that combed the beaches and fished in the same rock-pools from whence they came. Our aim with Primordial Soup is to introduce South African wine in its most accessible form, red and white familial twins made up of multiple classical cultivars, named without variety. The design inspiration is from the illustration’s of Ernst Haeckel, German naturalist, who identified then drew some of the simplest forms of life on Earth. We then use these to relate to Darwinism and the subject of Creation and evolution as a whole. It’s the story of everything.

Tasting Notes 

A twinkling in the mind’s eye, this cultured concoction of the Western Cape's brightest cultivars is alive with firm, fleshy fruit. On the nose, it has notes of jasmine and white stone fruit. It has a nuanced citrusy palate and tangy finish. It's the Natural Selection.

Production

100% old bush vines from Swartland's sandy, granitic soils, the powerful Southern sunshine makes sure the grapes reach their optimum ripeness. No irrigation is used in the vineyards and very little crop control is needed due to the age of the vines naturally restricting yield. All grapes are harvested by hand. Produced from only free run juice, part of the blend is naturally fermented and a tiny percentage in old barrels. The wine is left on fine lees for an extended period for greater palate weight and mouthfeel.

Producer

Boutinot South Africa is driven by our passion for discovery and desire to capture the real essence of South Africa in every bottle. It was the simple love of Loire Chenin Blanc that first led us to South Africa in 1994, where we pioneered the wild ferment style that has now been adopted by many producers in this region.

Since then we have been exploring the country's amazing vineyards to make fabulous wines from specific sites and plots that scream location, location, terroir. Our home-grown South African winemaking team of JD Rossouw, Ryno Booysen and Pierre Louw drive the energy and enthusiasm for expressing the loveliest wines from their country, along with Samantha Bailey's expertise in finesse. The key is knowing the characteristics of each plot, understanding the benefits each cultivar can bring, breaking rules and pushing boundaries. We use a combination of knowledge, a love of nature and science to create versatile, expressive and food-friendly wines from a country that has been making wine for 360 years.

Specifications

Serious Merlot - think St Emilion with guts... and legs.

Tasting notes

A fine wine with persistence, complexity and great purity - dense black cassis and bramble fruit aromas combined with plums, spice and a creamy oak on the palate. Showing real character and personality, supreme poise and balance, Waterkloof's ability to express their unique terroir improves with each vintage.

The iconic Left Bank-based blend from De Toren Fusion V is meticulously crafted from Bordeaux’s ‘Noble Five’ varietals and, with its complex flavours of liquorice, black cherry, cedar and dark berries, it offers a stylish departure for sophisticated oenophilic tastes. Soft as spun silk, with a lingering hint of sweet fruit on the back palate, this is a wine that will only improve with age.

Tim Atken - UK (95 Points)

Tasting Notes

Specifications

Specifications

An elegant, well-balanced Sauvignon Blanc - Iona's Wine Making Philosophy - 'The Winemaker is the Custodian of the fruit'

Tasting Notes 

Beautiful purity of limes and ripe gooseberry, with tropical, floral and fine herbal notes, ruby grapefruit and white pear drop on the finish. This is cool climate Sauvignon Blanc – vibrant, mineral, elegant, balanced and delicate, with a long, layered and complex finish.

Producer

At 420m above sea-level, set high above the picturesque Elgin Valley Andrew Gunn founded Iona. It is here overlooking the Atlantic ocean that he has secured some of the coolest vineyards in the Cape.  In a country where cool climate vineyards are like gold dust, these vineyards are veritable nuggets. There is an extremely long growing season, allowing Andrew to create wines with complex flavours and a fresh, elegant style. The approach is hands off and the land is farmed according to organic and biodynamic practices with a particular focus on ensuring the health of the soils whilst pests are kept under control by the resident flock of geese that roam the vineyards.

Production

"We aim for elegance, balance and to express the unique terroir of the Elgin Highlands. Grapes were hand-picked into crates early in the morning to ensure that the grapes stayed cool. Each of the 9 blocks are harvested and vinified separately. After gentle pressing, the must was settled, maintaining a temperature of 6-8°C. Fermentation occurred at 14-16°C, using different commercial yeast strains particularly suited to Sauvignon Blanc. The wine was kept on the gross lees for 5 months and stirred regularly to enhance the richness of the mid-palate. The Sémillon component was fermented naturally in 2nd and 3rd fill 500L French oak barrels to enhance the mid palate weight and to add complexity to the wine. A selection of different Sauvignon Blanc vineyard sites were naturally fermented in 500L French oak barrels. The barrel fermentation component made up 4% of the final blend. 

Accolades & Awards

Tim Atkin South Africa Report 2024 91 Points
Iona's spectacularly sited parcels are some of the highest and most dramatic in Elgin, producing a quintessential cool climate Sauvignon Blanc. Perfumed, salty and stony, this has layers of lime and grapefruit, a touch of vanilla and a briney finish. 2024-27. 91 Points, TA, 2024.

Specifications

"Home of the Worlds Best Shiraz"

The most sold wine in the Hartenberg portfolio, now celebrating 26 vintages. At a previous Classic Wine Trophy competition ten Gold medals were awarded by the French judges to the 385 red wines. Most estates entered their flagship wines. Due to Hartenbergs' uncompromising approach to standards they felt comfortable entering the pocket-friendly Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz. The wine won Gold.

Tasting Notes 

Colour

Vibrant red in colour.

Nose

An alluring blend of wild herbs and spices on the nose with hints of freshly picked dark fruits and berries on the palate, ending in a savoury finish. 

Palate 

Ripe, soft tannins balance well with the lingering finish.

The Estate

On the slopes of Bottelary Hills bordering Stellenbosch, is a family estate where nature provides the perfect backdrop to grow, produce and share award-winning wines. Summer at Hartenberg brings picnics on the lawns followed by buoyant games of boule. Winter invites you to intimate fireside lunches and sumptuous reds, smoky charcuterie and olives, and sensorial cellar tours. Our Wetland Conservation Area, alongside the vineyards, makes for a beautiful setting for walks and shared family fun.

Accolades

Tasting Notes 

Nose

Opulent but genteel and tempting violet-tinged soft black fruit abundance on the nose.

Palate

The palate is all about texture: silky, velvety, smooth and simultaneously plush. Ripe plums, hedgerow fruit, cocoa, cedar and spice, cigar box flavours make for an enveloping mouthful. Complex, elegant and beautifully integrated, the oak is seamlessly balanced with the fruit. Lingering & harmonious with not a single element out of place.

Each component was aged separately and then matured in 225L French oak barrels for 20 months with only 30% first fill barrels being used.

In the Vineyard 

The grapes selected for the Anthonij Rupert Optima, comes from our L’Ormarins Estate in Franschhoek and Rooderust farm in Darling. Specific sites, each with their own unique soil type and climatic conditions, were identified for the ideal grape selection, which make up unique components of the final blend in Optima. With lower rainfall bringing challenging conditions, the total wine grape production was lower than 2015. With drier weather conditions, the vineyards produced smaller healthy berries with high flavour concentration and good colour.

In the Cellar

An Optical sorting machine was used to ensure that only the best quality grapes are used. Wine was fermented dry on the skins and underwent extended post-fermentation maceration. This ensures deep colour and a good tannin structure enhancing the maturation potential in the wine. Malolactic barrel fermentation completed before the wine was racked off the lees.

History

Anthonij Rupert Wyne was founded on the farm, L`Ormarins in Franschhoek. Originally owned by the late Anthonij Rupert, who passed away in 2001, the farm was eventually taken over by his brother Johann Rupert in 2003 and the brand named after him. It was Johann Rupert who constructed a state-of-the-art winemaking facility, catapulting the farm into a prestigious wine estate and the beginnings of what is now a sprawling enterprise.
The focus is on terroir specific wines and therefore it would seem obvious that the brand is made up of an impressive portfolio of farms representing the best in grape producing locations. The portfolio is made up of L`Ormarins situated in Franschhoek, Rooderust in Darling, Riebeeksrivier in the Swartland and Altima in isolated Elandskloof. Individually each site offers optimum varietal specific growing conditions, allowing Anthonij Rupert Wyne to adhere to the requirements of their different brands.

Specifications

Specifications

Specifications

At the Western Cape’s Pinnacle Point, evidence remains in maritime caves of our earliest known ancestors - a primitive culture that combed the beaches and fished in the same rock-pools from whence they came. Our aim with Primordial Soup is to introduce South African wine in its most accessible form, red and white familial twins made up of multiple classical cultivars, named without variety. The design inspiration is from the illustration’s of Ernst Haeckel, German naturalist, who identified then drew some of the simplest forms of life on Earth. We then use these to relate to Darwinism and the subject of Creation and evolution as a whole. It’s the story of everything.

Tasting Notes 

A rich and bloody bouillabaisse of the Western Cape’s classical cultivars, packed with juicy life, red in tooth and claw. It has a nose of creamy summer pudding and a palate of crushed cherries with a cranberry tang and texture. It’s the Natural Selection.

Production

This cultured concoction is derived from the Western Cape’s classical cultivars, blended to represent nature’s selection and packed with juicy life. An artful mix of classic South African varieties chosen and blended by our winemaker Ryno Booysen.

Producer

Boutinot South Africa is driven by our passion for discovery and desire to capture the real essence of South Africa in every bottle. It was the simple love of Loire Chenin Blanc that first led us to South Africa in 1994, where we pioneered the wild ferment style that has now been adopted by many producers in this region.

Since then we have been exploring the country's amazing vineyards to make fabulous wines from specific sites and plots that scream location, location, terroir. Our home-grown South African winemaking team of JD Rossouw, Ryno Booysen and Pierre Louw drive the energy and enthusiasm for expressing the loveliest wines from their country, along with Samantha Bailey's expertise in finesse. The key is knowing the characteristics of each plot, understanding the benefits each cultivar can bring, breaking rules and pushing boundaries. We use a combination of knowledge, a love of nature and science to create versatile, expressive and food-friendly wines from a country that has been making wine for 360 years.

Specifications

Circle of Life celebrates farming in harmony with nature, telling a story of preserving and regenerating biodiversity. This harmonious combination of 3 classic grape varieties captures the essence of Waterkloof's biodynamic viticultural amphitheatre. 94 points, Decanter July 2023.

Tasting notes

A fine and seamless blend of 3 classic white grapes. Sauvignon Blanc aromas are prominent on the nose, with lime and prickly pear notes. A tight mineral core and creamy mid palate from the Chenin Blanc gives complexity and a persistent finish while a small proportion of Semillon adds texture and depth.

A fine example of South Africa's signature grape variety.

Tasting Notes

Nose

The nose is both savoury with stone fruits, pear,  notes of the local fynbos and a distinct note of oregano. 

Palate

On the palate it is delightful to find notes of wild honey often true to naturally fermented Chenin Blanc.

Production

The grapes for Peacock Wild Ferment Chenin Blanc are sourced from The Helderberg Ward on the coastal outreaches of Stellenbosch. Old bushvine vineyards (20 - 50 years old), planted in Chenin-friendly soils, have over time found their natural balance and it definitely shows in the wine. The Helderberg and Schapenberg are also known for the large expanses of indigenous flora (fynbos and proteas) and fauna such as caracal, bat-eared foxes, leopards and of course, peacocks.

In fact, four of South Africa's twenty WWF Biodiversity & Wine Initiative Champions (which includes Waterkloof amongst their number) are located on the Schapenberg and Helderberg alone. In addition to sourcing fruit from neighbouring vineyards, there is also a portion of wine from Waterkloof's biodynamic vineyard used in the Peacock Wild Ferment range.

Made by Waterkloof's talented young Cellarmaster Nadia Barnard. Balanced grapes are hand-harvested, then whole-bunch pressed in a horizontal basket press for only the finest juice. Fermentation takes place spontaneously with wild yeast in a combination of old 600litre barrels and concrete eggs. The wine then spends a minimum of 6 months on lees before bottling. No additions other than sulphur. Vegan friendly wine.

Specifications

Specifications

Specifications

Winery

The three individual blocks that comprise their Malbec plantings each have their own unique profile due to different row direction and training systems. Each block was harvested separately, each contributing it’s own unique building block. Left on the skins, post-fermentation before being transferred into 225 and 300-lit French oak barriques, where MLF took place. The wine spent approximately 18 months in wood with a 20% new wood component. 15% was matured in a concrete egg, contributing towards the fruit driven profile and adding yet another building block to the final compilation.

Accolade

• 90 points | 2022 Platters Guide (2018 Vintage)
• 90 points Silver | IWSC (2018 Vintage)
• 92 points Winemag.co.za (2018 Vintage)

Specifications

Tasting Notes 

Colour

The wine has an attractive pale straw colour. 

Nose

The nose leads with appealing citrus notes, which unfold onto the palate with a rich, creamy mouthfeel.

Palate

The broad spectrum of citrus, underlying minerality and gentle wooding have contributed to the complexity of this Chenin Blanc and culminate in a long lingering finish.

Background

The Uncensored Version – a project of heart, and a collaboration between brothers, Mark and Bobby Wallace.

Vinification

Wild ferment and barrel aged for 10 months in 2nd , 3rd & 4th fill barriques. The wine underwent partial Malolactic fermentation in barrel. No added enzymes, yeast and fining agents were used in the making of this wine.

Accolades

• 92pts | Tim Atkin

Bobby Wallace, son of Elgin producer Paul, is an exciting new face on the South Africa wine scene. This cool climate Chenin Blanc – one of the few produced in the region – is flinty, fresh and almost Pouilly-Fumé like. Aniseed, nettle and wet stone notes are complemented by underlying grip and some leesy weight. 2023-26 | Tim Atkin 2022 SA Report

Specifications

Tasting Notes

The finest Tinta Barocca and Touriga Nacional is selected by the winemaker from specific low-yielding vineyards in order to craft an inky black wine, that is then barrel-matured for a decade or more.

All the fruit is hand-harvested at optimum ripeness, fermented and fortified in small lagars, barrel matured in large seasoned oak barrels for a minimum of 8 years, blended meticulously to craft the distinctive colour and flavour profile of a fine Boplaas Cape Tawny.

Producers

It would be impossible to think of South African ‘Port’-style wines and Brandies without Boplaas (‘top farm’ in Afrikaans) springing to mind. Boplaas, in far flung Calitzdorp, has been in the Nel family since 1880 so they have had many a year to perfect their craft. This is evidenced through frequently being awarded ‘Port’ of the year by both Tim Atkin and numerous Platter 5 star awards.

Boplaas ‘Port’ wines are crafted just like they are in the Douro Valley. Only Portuguese varietals are utilised, picked at full-ripeness and fermented in large open fermenters (known as lagares), intense manual pigeage, fortifying the wine at the correct time, using the finest grape spirit, and appropriate barrel ageing.

Accolades

• 93pts | Platter's 2023

Specifications

One of South Africa's oldest wineries with one of the most respected winemakers in the Western Cape at its helm - Carl Schultz.

Tasting Notes 

Nose

The bouquet displays beautiful elements of chalky, flint and minerally notes.

Palate

The wine is juicy and opulent on palate entry and then a fine acidity arrives to provide a perfect foil to the inherent fruit “sweetness”. Despite being bone dry, the wine finishes with an appealing sweet/sour character, begging a second taste.

"Defined lime zest, apple and character-building slight wax/ terpene nuance on dry palate. Opens in the glass and lingers." ~ Platter's Wine Guide SA 2015

Estate

On the slopes of Bottelary Hills bordering Stellenbosch, is a family estate where nature provides the perfect backdrop to grow, produce and share award-winning wines. Summer at Hartenberg brings picnics on the lawns followed by buoyant games of boule. Winter invites you to intimate fireside lunches and sumptuous reds, smoky charcuterie and olives, and sensorial cellar tours. Our Wetland Conservation Area, alongside the vineyards, makes for a beautiful setting for walks and shared family fun.

Accolades

A naturally fermented old bush vine brew, Tea Leaf hails from vineyards where the vines grow amongst South Africa’s native rooibos (red tea) plants that grow wild alongside the vines.

Tasting Notes

Aromas of ripe citrus and peach with savoury, gently nutty notes. The palate combines firm, high-key fruit with a gentle, sandy texture true to the source vineyards’ soil leading to a long, lightly honeyed finish. A deeply satisfying wine, taut and concentrated, from a blend of high quality bush vine fruit.

Production

From selected coastal vineyards of Chenin, Grenache Gris and Marsanne where the indigenous rooibos tea plant grows wild. Grapes are harvested in the early hours and then a further selection is made by hand at the winery to select the best fruit. The wine is naturally fermented and aged a few months in older 600 litre French oak barrels. No fining and coarse filtered (above 1 micron).

Producer

What’s this then? SKU is a casual band of happy ferments. A circus tent of the Cape’s stranger grapes and blends. We will champion the unfashionable, experiment with the known and express the found before it gets lost. Mistakes are likely, fun certain. Welcome to Strange Kompanjie, a Kultivar Club for the Underdog.

Sustainability

Strange Kompanjie Unlimited wines are certified as part of South Africa’s sustainability accreditation, the ‘Integrated Production of Wine’ (IPW) system. The IPW scheme, started in 1998, consists of a set of audited guidelines specifying agricultural practices, manufacturing practices and bottling activities.

Specifications

Redolent of roses and ripe-for-the-picking strawberries, the refreshing De Toren Délicate is an elegant red blend that combines red’s seductiveness with the undeniable drinkability of white.

Medium-bodied and immeasurably gentle, it offers up an abundance of juicy fruit and velvety, smooth tannins that lead to a sophisticated finish. Delicious on its own as an apéritif, it’s also the perfect consort to the lingering pleasures of Spanish tapas or a platter of the finest French charcuterie.

Tasting Notes

Specifications

Tasting Notes 

Colour

Lime green hue.

Nose

Complex core, with notes of lemongrass and lime, grapefruit and white peach, blackcurrant leaf and even elderflower.

Palate

Richly textured mouthfeel balanced by a striking minerality, razor-sharp acidity and a long, lingering finish.

Vintage

Constantia Glen's Sauvignon is a complex, elegant, cool-climate style with great fruit weight, minerality and vibrant acidity. The 2020 vintage was yet another excellent one at Constantia Glen that saw cool temperatures and a long ripening season, which produced a classic Constantia wine, exemplifying elegance, texture and freshness.

History of the Cellar

Ideally located below Constantia Nek, just moments from the bustling Cape Town city centre, Constantia Glen is a picturesque wine estate producing ultra-premium, cool climate white and red wines. The 60-hectare property, situated 103-2790 meters above sea level, has a mere 29 hectares under vine with product of wines limited to 120, 000 bottles per annum. Although winemaking began in 1685, recent history begins with the Waibel family, who purchased the land in 1960. Although this land is difficult to farm - as evident by rapid change of ownership from 1813-1960 - the dedication, patience and passion of the Waibel family has proven reward.

Having used the land predominantly as a stud farm, it was in 2000 that the Waibel family planted their first grapes and they now produce four wines. Perhaps most unique about Constantia Glen is its location. Although this region is predominantly known for its white wines, Constantia Glen is situated between the mountains, providing red grapes with the conditions needed to mature. Dryland cultivation under these cool climatic conditions results in slow ripening, low yields with exceptional grape quality and flavour concentration, thereby producing elegant Bordeaux blends. In addition to Sauvignon Blanc and the `Two` (a blend of Sauvignon Blanc with a touch of Sémillion), Constantia Glen produces the `Three` - a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon Franc and Merlot` and a `Five` - which includes the addition of Malbec and Petit Verdot.

Awards - 2020 Vintage

• 4½ stars (94 points) - Platter’s 2020 Guide
• SA Wine Guide | 91 points - Falstaff Magazine | 
• Platinum Award - SAWi 2021

Awards - 2019 Vintage

• 93 points in the 2020 Platter Guide
• Gold medal & Trophy for the best white wine from SA at the 2019 IWC
• Gold Medal at the 2017 International Wine & Spirits Competition

Alan's Personal Tasting Notes

"This is delish - much more structure, complexity and multi-layered than most kiwi Sauv blancs. Fully dry with a wonderful balance between fruit & acidity. A bit closed when over chilled but really showed well a couple of degrees warmer - 15/20" October 2022

Specifications

Tasting Notes

Nose

Vibrant and aromatic with subtle perfumed aromas, white peach and hints of jasmine on the nose.

Palate

On the palate it has tight, white, fleshy, stonefruit and fresh citrus flavours balanced by bright and lively acidity. A crisp, incisive finish with a touch of minerality helps deliver a delicious, flavoursome and characterful wine.

Specifications

Vintage

Accolade

• National Wine Challenge 2020 - Double Gold Award

Specifications

Specifications

Chenin crafted the wild way – old vine fruit, fermented with yeast found naturally on the grapes. Up to six months lees ageing after fermentation gives a slow and natural evolution and a harmonious and balanced wine.

Tasting Notes

Ripe citrus and green plum fruit on the nose, with lightly bready aromas and notes of dried herbs including fennel and aniseed. Good concentration of zesty fruit with a creamy lemon character offset by taught acidity. The finish is long with great textural complexity, attributable to the long, slow, wild yeast fermentation.

Production

The grapes for False Bay Slow Chenin Blanc stem from old bush vines in the coastal region. Old vines are key to making stand-out chenin and although The Swartland is not as coastal as most of the vineyards used for the False Bay wines, it is an area where, quite frankly, grapes from old vines are available at the required prices. Thankfully, the area's old vines produce naturally low yields and retain good acidity despite being warmer and less windswept than Stellenbosch, so cooler, coastal Atlantic winds are less of a necessity for these gnarly old vines. Made by Waterkloof's talented young Cellarmaster Nadia Barnard. Balanced grapes are hand harvested, fermented spontaneously with wild yeast in stainless steel tanks and then left on lees for a minimum of ten months before bottling. No additions other than sulphur as a preservative. Grown, made and bottled in South Africa. Vegan friendly wine, sustainably farmed and naturally crafted.

Producer

An independent company, owned by Waterkloof founder Paul Boutinot, False Bay Vineyards aims to make 'real' wine affordable. These are sustainable certified wines bottled in South Africa and naturally crafted from mature and often old vineyards that, crucially, are naturally in balance. This means that, unusually at the price, the grapes from these coastal gems can be transformed into wine with wild yeast and an absolute minimum of intervention.

False Bay Vineyards is proud to be a WWF (World Wildlife Fund) Biodiversity Champion and certified by WIETA (Wine and Agricultural Ethical Trade Association). All of their wines are Vegan friendly.

Specifications

From cool, windswept, coastal vineyards which yield naturally balanced grapes giving a wine with pure varietal charters and vibrant acidity.

Tasting Notes

Fresh and zesty with grassy and dry bay leaf aromatics, mineral notes, with hints of richness. This is a restrained Sauvignon Blanc with a palate that has lots of minerality and citrus with lightly herbal notes. The finish is ripe and gently honeyed with crisp green apple fruit and fresh acidity.

Production

False Bay Windswept Sauvignon Blanc stems from vineyards in Stellenbosch, some of which are a mere 3 miles from The Atlantic Ocean. These vineyards allow for low yields, slower ripening, natural acidity and a greater concentration of flavours. If one wants to make sauvignon blanc naturally, these are just the type of grapes required. Made by Waterkloof's talented young Cellarmaster Nadia Barnard. Balanced grapes are hand harvested, then a portion of the juice is fermented spontaneously with wild yeast and the rest is inocculated. The wine spends a minimum of 6 months on lees before bottling. No additions other than sulphur as a preservative. Grown, made and bottled in South Africa. Vegan friendly, sustainably farmed and naturally crafted

Producer

An independent company, owned by Waterkloof founder Paul Boutinot, False Bay Vineyards aims to make 'real' wine affordable. These are sustainable certified wines bottled in South Africa and naturally crafted from mature and often old vineyards that, crucially, are naturally in balance. This means that, unusually at the price, the grapes from these coastal gems can be transformed into wine with wild yeast and an absolute minimum of intervention.

False Bay Vineyards is proud to be a WWF (World Wildlife Fund) Biodiversity Champion and certified by WIETA (Wine and Agricultural Ethical Trade Association). All of their wines are Vegan friendly.

Alan's Personal Notes

"Fresh and dry with zest citric fruit and an interesting juxtaposition between maritime salinity (proximity of vineyards to the ocean) and mountainous minerality from the granitic souls - both giving great length, complexity and balance. A real snip @£9 a bottle - it delivers a great deal of flavour for little money giving incredible bang for bucks!"

Specifications

RedProduction is ‘old-school’ with wild yeast (partially whole-bunch) fermentation and maturation in large wooden casks. A fine, spicy style...definitely more Syrah than Shiraz.

Tasting Notes

Full yet elegant with bramble fruits and also some earth and meaty aromas. The palate is structured and well balanced with fresh red fruit characters, gently spicy notes, fine tannins and a refreshing natural acidity.

Production

The grapes for False Bay Old School Syrah stem primarily from two vineyards in Stellenbosch. The attraction to these coastal, vineyards were the cooler temperatures and low yields of small, naturally balanced and concentrated berries. Made by Waterkloof's talented young Cellarmaster Nadia Barnard. Balanced grapes are hand harvested, fermented spontaneously with wild yeast (a small portion whole-bunch) and then raised in large wooden casks (or 'foudre' en Francais). No additions other than sulphur as a preservative. Grown, made and bottled in South Africa. Vegan friendly wine from sustainably faremed vineyards.

Producer

An independent company, owned by Waterkloof founder Paul Boutinot, False Bay Vineyards aims to make 'real' wine affordable. These are sustainable certified wines bottled in South Africa and naturally crafted from mature and often old vineyards that, crucially, are naturally in balance. This means that, unusually at the price, the grapes from these coastal gems can be transformed into wine with wild yeast and an absolute minimum of intervention.

False Bay Vineyards is proud to be a WWF (World Wildlife Fund) Biodiversity Champion and certified by WIETA (Wine and Agricultural Ethical Trade Association). All of their wines are Vegan friendly.

Specifications

Tasting Notes 

Colour

Straw-yellow in the glass

Nose

Subdued nose with vanilla and marmalade. 

Palate

They carry on to the palate with citrus peel, almonds and butter. Lengthy and refined with steely minerality on the finish.

Vineyards

Vine age:12 years. A low canopy allowed optimal sunlight penetration. Minimal irrigation was used. The fruit ripened slowly allowing the development of small bunches with highly concentrated flavours.

Vinification

This Chardonnay had its fruit picked and whole-bunch pressed. The juice was left to settle for two days and transferred to barrel, where it fermented for nine days, before ageing for a further nine months on its lees in French oak.

Accolades

• Platters 2023 | 95pts 
  

Specifications

Tasting Notes 

Colour

The wine has an attractive deep red hue. 

Nose

The nose leads with appealing spicy aromas –  white pepper supported by notes of both red and black berries, some violets and a hint of fynbos. 

Palate

Dark fruits follow through onto the palate with an appealing juicy entrance supported by savoury white pepper notes, a touch of salinity and rounded off with fine subtle tannins.  A wonderful example of high altitude Syrah.  A wine, whilst still youthful, displays the finesse we expect from cool climate, high altitude wines yet shows enormous maturation potential should you be patient enough to cellar the wine. 

Background

Seizing the opportunity when it presented itself has culminated in this remarkable wine.

This is the second vintage of the Off the Record Syrah, produced from a small parcel of Shiraz grapes, sourced from a truly unique site.  This vineyard, situated on the Ceres Plateau, is planted in fertile Bokkeveld shale soils at an astounding altitude of 1000 meters above sea level.  Not many vineyards in South Africa can boast that they are covered in snow over the winter months.

Only 1 540 bottles were produced from the 2021 release.

Vinification

This wine was 100% whole-bunch fermented in two small batches before being pressed and undergoing maturation in 4th fill barrels for a period of 10 months. No commercial yeasts, enzymes or fining agents were used in the production of this wine. The wine received a light filtering prior to bottling.

Accolades

• 95 Points | Tim Aitken

• One of those serendipitous discoveries that puts a smile on your face for the rest of the day, this is a remarkable new release from Bobby Wallace that rates among the best Syrahs in South Africa. Showing the freshness and perfume of its high altitude terroir on the Ceres Plateau, it’s graceful and refined, with rose petal and fynbos aromas, undertones of fennel and blood and a juicy, refined, silky, red-fruited palate. An awesome début. 2023-29. Tim Atkin 2022 SA Report

Specifications