Provenance

Producer

Critics Ratings

2014 - 'A Cape standard bearer for this genre, from old vines. Chenin-led 2014, with clairette, viognier & splash semillon gris, similar baked apple & almond flavours & waxy texture to 2013 (4.5 stars, 92 pts), but more immediately opulent & appealing. Natural ferment in barrel & foudre, with further oak maturation (20% new).' - Platter's SA Wine Guide 2016, 5*

2015 - 'Style benchmark. Chenin-led with 4 others, 2015 mainly dryland vines, combo soils. Natural ferment in barrel & foudre, year more in barrel, unfiltered. Stonefruit, fresh & dried, almond, lovely waxy note. 20% new oak. Follows stellar 2014 (5 stars, 96 pts) & is as involving.' - Platter's SA Wine Guide 2017, 4.5*

2016 - 'Was 'White Blend'. Chenin base with 4 others, from older vineyards & Swartland's 4 soil types, so 2016's complexity is guaranteed: stonefruit, beeswax, unbalanced almonds, shot through with salty acidity. Seamless & pure.' - Platter's SA Wine Guide 2018, 4.5* (92/100)

2017 - 'Older vines, some 80 years, 4 main Swartland soils. Chenin-led with 4 others, carefully chosen. Unchanging style & complexity, stonefruit & mineral, beeswax, almonds, 2017 brightened by saline acidity. Wonderful focus, intensity.' - Platter's SA Wine Guide 2019,5* (95/100)

2018 - 'Senior vines, some veterans of 80 seasons, in 4 main Swartland soils. 2018 chenin-led with 4 others, harmonious melody of stonefruit, minerals & flowers, same brightening saline acidity as previous. A wine with soul & character, & only one beside Rouge with portion new oak, 20%, deftly handled.' - Platter's SA Wine Guide 2020,5* (96/100)

2019 - 'Masterly blend showing fruit & floral complexity, salty acidity & whisper oak spice (20% new). 2019 chenin (66%) with 4 other stalwarts plus verdelho & macabeo - former enhancing acidity, latter texture - in 4 main Swartland soils, like 2018 (5 stars, 96 pts). Year mixed-size wood. Worth ageing.' - Platter's SA Wine Guide 2021, 4.5* (93/100)