Critics Ratings

1999 - Confirming anew the international status its ancestor enjoyed 2 centuries back, and fortunately soon in greater quantities as new plantings of Muscat de Frontignan come into production. Frequent 5* over the years. Usually no botrytis, just healthy ripeness taken to a superb extreme, to give a silkily textured wine, with fine mineral acidity. Raisiny luxuriance of '99 also evokes dried apricot, marmalade, shot through with thrilling acid; fine lingering farewell.'- Platter's SA Wine Guide 2005, 4.5*

'Vanilla pod, mixed peel, spiced oranges, cloves, raisins, thick and gloopy but with a whistlingly fresh finish from the acidity that keeps magnificent balance. The orange character is really pure on the palate, like tangerine slices, tangy and freshly-peeled.' - Richard Hemming MW, JancisRobinson.com, 17.5/20 (2009)

2000 - 'Continually reclaiming the international renown its ancestor enjoyed 2 centuries back; from usually unbotrytised but superbly ripe Muscat de Frontignan giving a long-lived, silkily textured wine with fine mineral acidity. Riveting old-gold-coloured '00 somewhat drier (141g/L), full, gorgeously complex panoply of a aromas/flavours (from muscatty grape to citrus, dried peach to marmalade), refined silky richness, balanced acidity. There some 2 years in used 500L French oak barrels, after ferment/time in tank. In specially made 500ml hand-blown-style-bottles.'-  Platter's SA Wine Guide 2006, 5*

'Runny caramel on the nose, and a lovely amber hue in the glass. Roasted nuts, musk, very lengthy black-treacle finish and orange and quince fruit; the fruit is definitely past its first flush, though the wine is still very much alive.' - Richard Hemming MW, JancisRobinson.com, 17/20 (2009)

2001 - ‘Reaching (in patented 500ml old-style bottles) for the international renown its ancestor enjoyed two centuries back; from usually unbotrytised but ripe Muscat de Frontignan, generally giving a long-lived, silky wine with fine mineral acidity. ‘01 is more obviously Muscat, with floral/grapey/raisiny character; full-flavoured and sumptuous - gentler acid means effectively sweeter balance than many previous, involving 135g/l sugar, big 14.8% alcohol. Should acquire more complexity with time. These up to 4 years in used 500l French oak barrels.’- Platter’s SA Wine Guide 2007, 4.5*

'Sweet and rich, but also super racy, with fresh-cut tangerine, orange and nectarine flavors, backed by bright acidity and a long, lingering finish of spice, orange zest and heather honey. Hard to resist now, but should age wonderfully. Muscat de Frontignan.' - James Molesworth, Wine Spectator, 92/100 (2007)

Provenance

Private Client