Critics Ratings

2016:
‘Named for a nasty multi-pronged thorn, naturally fermented 2016 chenin off old Paarl vines is much more pleasing. Fresh, dry & with modest 12.5% alcohol, it’s altogether easy, with sweet fruit & charm. Old oak simply helps round it out nicely.’ - Platter's SA Wine Guide 2018, 5* (97/100)

‘The result is a wonderfully subtle and intricate wine. The nose shows citrus, peach and pineapple as well as a hint of earthiness and some yeasty complexity. The palate is light but flavourful – great fruit definition, the acidity particularly lively, the finish long and pithy.’ – Christian Eedes, Winemag.co.za, 93/100 (Feb 2017)

Greg Sherwood MW, 93+/100 (Jun 2017)

2017:
‘Sourced from 1956 Paarl bushvine chenin, 2017 follows stellar form of maiden 2016 (97 pts). Big & brawny, with intensity & pinpoint focus, showing yeasty brioche with subtle baked apple fruit, ending with elegant chalky twist. All fermented & matured in older barrels.’ - Platter's SA Wine Guide 2019, 5* (95/100)

Greg Sherwood MW, 95/100 (2019)

‘This small, hands-on operation makes wines that taste as good as they look. Using fruit from Paarl, the Thistle and Weed Chenin is a textured, low-intervention style with wax and stone fruit flavours and a whisper of wood. 2018-23’ - Tim Atkin MW, SA Special Report 2017, 93/100

2018:
‘Stunning Chenin from 1956 Paarl bushvines, 2018 minimally worked and bottled unfined/filtered. Commanding presence, elegant poise and layered complexity, all rounded out by 11 months in older barrels.’ - Platter’s SA Wine Guide 2020, 5* (96 pts)

'Duwweltjie is made with fruit from a vineyard on decomposed granite that was planted in 1956 and 1961 and could easily qualify for Old Vine Project status. Leesy and concentrated, with wax and buttered brioche flavours, a hint of oak spice and chiselled acidity. 2020-24.' - Tim Atkin MW, SA Special Report 2019, 93/100

‘The newly released 2018 (matured for 10 months in older oak, alcohol: 13%) has an extraordinarily expressive nose – naartjie and orange, peach and apricot, some waxiness, some nuttiness and a touch of spice. The palate is super-concentrated and super-flavourful. Sweet upfront but suitably savoury on the finish, tangy acidity lending drive. It’s a dramatic wine, perhaps a touch more rustic than the sublime 2017, but quite delicious even so.’ – Christian Eedes, Winemag.co.za, 94/100 (Feb 2019)

2019:
‘Amazing purity & focus on 2019. From 60 year old Paarl chenin, showing great depth, length & complexity, yet retaining elegance & poise. Bunch pressed, French barrel fermented (225, 300 & 500L), 10 months on lees. An icon in the making.’ - Platter's SA Wine Guide 2021, 5* (96/100)

‘Stephanie Wild and Etienne Terblanche have made their best-ever range of wines in 2019. This stunning Chenin hails from a heritage block planted in 1961. Beautifully balanced and poised, it has cream, aniseed and beeswax flavours underpinned by zip, minerality and saline citrus fruit. 2021-27’ - Tim Atkin MW, SA Special Report 2020, 94/100

‘The 2019 Duwweltjie Chenin Blanc jumps out of the glass with aromas of dusty citrus blossom, mango, wax melon and white peach. Medium-bodied and with 12.5% alcohol, the wine displays impeccable balance with elements of soft, juicy fruit and flavors of poached pear with vanilla anglaise, before turning to a soft, nutty essence with mineral tension. The wine concludes with a balanced and thoughtful finish that delivers well for the price. Just shy of 2,000 bottles filled, the grapes were whole-bunch pressed, as free-run juice was selected to naturally fermented in third use French oak barrels. Well done!’ – Anthony Mueller, Wine Advocate, 90/100 (May 2021)

2020:
‘Thistle & Weed is a partnership between Etienne Terblanche, a Vinpro viticulturist, and winemaker Stephanie Wiid, with grapes for this wine sourced from a vineyard planted in 1961. A yeasty note before aromas of yellow fruit, herbs and spice, followed by a rich palate with well-integrated acidity and a gently savoury finish. Bold and flavourful.’- Christian Eedes, Decanter.com, 94/100 (Feb 2021)

‘Understated elegance in 2020 from Paarl vines planted in 1961. Concentrated & textured, with dried apricot, citrus & candied pineapple seamlessly wrapped in vanilla cream. Harmonious, with grapefruit pith finish. Unfined/filtered, as Brandnetel.’ - Platter's SA Wine Guide 2022, 5* (95/100)

‘Stephanie Wild and Etienne Terreblanche's boutique operation is one of the most exciting Cape brands to emerge in the last five years. This very old-vine Paarl Chenin is structured, dense and waxy, with musk and apple flavours, very little oak but amazing purity. 2022-27’ - Tim Atkin MW, SA Special Report 2021, 94/100

2021:
‘Paarl chenin planted in 1961. Restrained & refined 2021 bright citrus, candied pineapple & a smooth texture. Structured & stylish, like 2020 (5 stars, 95 pts), with harmony & perfect balance through to the extended spicy farewell.’ - Platter's SA Wine Guide 2023, 4.5* (93/100)

‘"Paarl, but cool Paarl" is how Stephanie Wild describes the source of this 1961 bush vine parcel on mixed granite, clay and alluvial soils. Floral, refined and effortlessly complex, with lime and citrus flavours, mouth-watering minerality and wonderful texture and presence on the palate. 2023-28’ - Tim Atkin MW, SA Special Report 2022, 94/100

‘From a Paarl vineyard of Chenin Blanc planted in 1961. Expressive aromatics of peach, citrus, green apple and green herbs while the palate is lean and direct – pure fruit and zippy acidity before a salty finish.’ - Christian Eedes, Winemag.co.za, 94/100 (Jul 2022)

Provenance

Producer