Carinus
Polkadraai Heuwels 2019
Cape Heritage
About the SessionA selection of South Africa’s finest wines, inspired by our rich wine heritage and the unique character of the Cape Winelands. Chenin Blanc is celebrated for its remarkable versatility, producing an exceptional range of wine styles, particularly in South Africa, home to the oldest Chenin Blanc vines in the world. These historic vineyards continue to produce wines of great diversity, elegance, and ageing potential. The Pinotage selection showcases leading producers, all of whom have become consistent flag bearers for this proudly South African variety.
About this Item
The 2019 vintage in Stellenbosch delivered conditions of lean concentration - a continuation of the region's drought cycle that drew extraordinary intensity from well-established dryland bush vines. The Polkadraai Hills, with their combination of weathered granite and clay, produced fruit of exceptional precision and mineral focus that year, and the Carinus 2019 was rewarded with Platter's South African Wine Guide 5 stars and 95 points. Fermented in concrete egg with a 10% old-oak component, it is a wine of crystalline purity and effortless length.
Provenance
The late David Brice was a respected wine connoisseur, collector and co-founder of Brice and Burnett – The Fine Wine Specialists (formerly Wine Cellar). His lifelong passion for wine from all corners of the world wine, and generosity, helped develop a culture of fine wine in South Africa and beyond. Always with value and authenticity in mind, the collection spans a wide range of styles from leading producers and diverse regions. The wines were professionally imported under refrigeration and carefully stored at Brice and Burnett (formerly Wine Cellar) thereafter. Many of the producers are not available in South Africa and provide an excellent buying opportunity.
For more detailed information on the lots, please feel free to contact Roland Peens (roland@briceandburnett.co.za). Roland spent many years sharing and enjoying these wines with David Brice and is happy to provide further insight into the collection.
Critics Ratings
'Less generous, tighter grained than Swartland version, the Polkadraai Hills 2019 has delicate, pure fruit aromas (with fennel note), refined freshness, a brilliant integrated acidity, understated intensity blossoming on lingering finish. Matured in concrete 'egg' (2019 has 10% old-oak element). Both 12.5% alcohol.' - Platter's SA Wine Guide 2021, 5* (95/100)
'Still youthful - the 2018 is on the market, too - but this is a wine to buy now and keep for a while. Made from Danie Carinus' farm in the Polkadraai Hills, this is a stunning Chenin, fermented with wild yeasts and showing great extract, citrus and green apple flavours, a whisper of oak and a long, stony finish. 2022-27.' - Tim Atkin MW, SA Special Report 2020, 94/100
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