The splendid array of, especially, certified heritage block chenins gives the clue to the aim of this brand. It was established by the Burgers of Roodekrantz farm and the Morkels of Diemerskraal, to channel rare old-vine fruit from large commercial blends into a range of premium wines, thereby adding value for the grower and discouraging grubbing up. The grapes are widely sourced, and vinified by Danie Morkel in a boutique cellar on Diemerskraal, north of Wellington - with two newcomers this year.
Old Vine range
Category: Chenin blanc wooded, dry
From 1975 Agter Paarl chenin bushvines on weathered shale. Intense & lovely 2020, but not overtly fruity, aromas. Penetrating, stoney mineral acidity & a sweet, peachy core give elegance & charm, & the greatest complexity of this range of fine chenins. More
Wine tasted by Tim James.
Life Style range
Category: Chardonnay unwooded
2021 previewed very young (still fermenty), but forthcoming & likely to have flavourful citrus character & confirm itself as elegantly fresh. 10% oaked portion for breadth. More
Wine tasted by Tim James.
Old Vine range
Category: Chenin blanc wooded, dry
From a heritage Paarl single-vineyard, 2020 gives very ripe aromas (mango, perhaps) & only moderate depth of flavour, but a good balancing crispness. Only a tiny oaked portion. More
Wine tasted by Tim James.
Old Vine range
Category: Chenin blanc wooded, dry
Bottled 2020 shows better than last year, especially given air, but still needs time. Earthy aromatic element with pear & stonefruit, some restrained richness from a little sugar. Like previous & next 3, previewed last edition & now bottled. More
Wine tasted by Tim James.
Old Vine range
Category: Cinsaut
Ripe dark fruit & faint spicy perfume on 2020. Not new wave in style: big & a touch heavy (14.4% alcohol), sweet-finishing. Less lightness than 2019 (4 stars, 87 pts). More
Wine tasted by Tim James.
Barrel Selections
Category: Cabernet sauvignon
Easygoing 2020 from 70% syrah with durif & tannat. Very ripe mulberry fruitiness, gently smooth tannic structure. Last tasted 2015 (4 stars, 86 pts) was from cab. WO Coastal, like next. More
Wine tasted by Tim James.
Old Vine range
Category: Chenin blanc wooded, dry
Off Swartland decomposed granite, vines planted 1968. Stony savouriness & salty tang on now-bottled 2020, with a bright & grippy fresh elegance & a subtle intricacy of flavour. Old oak ferment & maturation, as all this range unless noted. More
Wine tasted by Tim James.
Barrel Selections
Category: White blends, wooded, dry
Majority chenin (80%) shows on 2020 with peach, fynbos & some stoniness, chardonnay giving a pretty tinge of citrus. Silky texture & a succulent grip. Old barrels. More
Wine tasted by Tim James.
Old Vine range
Category: Chenin blanc wooded, dry
Riper-feeling than most of these chenins, 2020 from 1967 Stellenbosch chenin bushvines combines full-fruited richness with a stony tang, charm with seriousness. Long, intense. More
Wine tasted by Tim James.
Life Style range
Category: Pinotage
Big & ripe 2019, 70% unoaked for brighter fruitiness. Tasty it is, with 14.5% alcohol generosity & a gentle tannic tug. More
Wine tasted by Tim James.
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