Per the branding, Stephan Kruger was tardily out of the blocks but with great satisfaction and gusto, having always wanted to make wine. Opportunity called in 2016 while in Johannesburg, and he crafted the first wines in a literal garage. He's since relocated and upgraded, to a small converted brewery in Gordon's Bay, sourcing grapes widely and nimble enough to try something new or different. Tastings are among the barrels and tanks, so visitors should expect more than the usual noises off if sampling during season.
Late Bloomer Boutique Winery range
Category: Chenin blanc unwooded dry
Catchy name & blue-patterned label. From Franschhoek, apple & pair, some crushed herbs, 2022 has limy freshness, perking up the fruit. More
Wine tasted by Christine Rudman & Cathy van Zyl.
Late Bloomer Boutique Winery range
Category: Red blends, other
3-way split of cab, merlot & shiraz, different oaking here, only 14 months. Smoky cigarbox tones on 2020, with berry-plummy fruit holding its own in perfume & flavour. Streamlined texture, silky finish, tannins amenable for current drinking. WO Coastal. More
Wine tasted by Christine Rudman & Cathy van Zyl.
Late Bloomer Boutique Winery range
Category: Cabernet sauvignon
Oaking as majority of reds, 18 months with French & American chips inserted into older barrels, giving 2021 from Stellenbosch a pronounced savoury element to its nose & palate. Plummy fruit helps drinkability but tannins are dry on finish, need time. More
Wine tasted by Christine Rudman & Cathy van Zyl.
Late Bloomer Boutique Winery range
Category: Rosé dry
Syrah with 17% sauvignon, pale coral hue. 2022 rosé is strawberry scented, the white grape showing in the flavours, drinkability enhanced by crisp acid. More
Wine tasted by Christine Rudman & Cathy van Zyl.
Late Bloomer Boutique Winery range
Category: Red blends, other
Certainly an unusual combo in 2021. Syrah oaked per house style, 56% pinot noir unwooded, providing attractive berry profile, underpinned by savoury spicing, tannins supple. WO W Cape. More
Wine tasted by Christine Rudman & Cathy van Zyl.
Late Bloomer Boutique Winery range
Category: Sauvignon blanc unwooded
Winter melon- & yellow apple-scented 2021’s racy acidity adds vitality, but perhaps too pronounced for the fruit? More
Wine tasted by Christine Rudman & Cathy van Zyl.
Late Bloomer Boutique Winery range
Category: Shiraz/syrah
Same oaking as majority of the reds, but in 2021 the 30% American’s vanilla fits the syrah’s plushness, will make many friends. Succulent texture adds to the appeal. More
Wine tasted by Christine Rudman & Cathy van Zyl.
Late Bloomer Boutique Winery range
Category: White blends, wooded, dry
From sauvignon & semillon, American oak chips 3 months give 2021 coconut & vanilla styling, dominating the 66/34 blend’s nose & palate. Some fruit salad flavours. Chill well. More
Wine tasted by Christine Rudman & Cathy van Zyl.
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