2022 Damascene | New Vintage Release
Jean Smit has a truly global winemaking CV – from DuMOL in the Russian River Valley to Wither Hills in Marlborough, Larkmead in Napa and Ogier in Côte-Rôtie, he has quite literally made wine in the four corners of the globe. His work in his native South Africa is just as impressive, with a stint at Rustenberg and the head winemaking job at Boekenhoutskloof for almost a decade.
His wines are so vividly able to express a sense of place. A visceral transportation to the Ceres Plateau – a small block of Syrah vines, 1,000 metres above sea level on iron-rich gravel. A visit to a patch of Chenin, planted on a granitic outcrop overlooking False Bay, strewn with enormous boulders. A taste of the La Chataigne vineyard, on the banks of the Franschhoek river – some of South Africa’s oldest Semillon vines, planted as far back as 1942.
These are magical places, making magical wines, at highly accessible prices.
It is a rare pleasure to be with someone from the very start, and we have already enjoyed watching Jean’s wines evolve from the first 2018 release - that we jumped on after only being able to meet and taste with Jean online during the pandemic. We've never looked back. It is evidence of his sheer talent that they have been outstanding from the first drop, but it is also clear that outstanding simply isn’t enough for Jean.
This latest set of releases proves how he has already cemented himself as one of the finest wine makers in South Africa, but also that this, the fifth iteration of his wine, really is just the beginning.
If you have any questions about the wines or would like to place an order, please email your account manager or privateclients@leaandsandeman.co.uk.
Neal Martin – Vinous.com
‘Damascene has almost appeared out of nowhere in the last couple of years. I met with head winemaker Jean Smit in London in June and then visited the estate for the first time during my trip. Smit is certainly a driven winemaker who knows what he’s doing, and comparing recent releases with a few older bottles to “fill in the gaps”, the quality of wines is improving year by year.’
2022 DAMASCENE Semillon Franschhoek
The 2022 Semillon from Franschhoek comes from vines planted in 1942 and 1962 on sandstone soils, aged 11 months in Austrian foudre. It has disarming purity on the nose with mineral-rich yellow fruit,The 2022 Semillon from Franschhoek comes from vines planted in 1942 and 1962 on sandstone soils, aged 11 months in Austrian foudre. It has disarming purity on the nose with mineral-rich yellow fruit, nectarine, and a little lanolin coming through with aeration. The palate is beautifully balanced with a taut, clinical line of acidity (the pH here is lower than in Damascene's Chenin) with a liberal sprinkling of white pepper mixed with stem ginger on the finish. Excellent. It should age extremely well in bottle. Drinking range: 2024 - 2044 Rating: 94 Neal Martin, www.vinous.com (Aug 2023)
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2022 DAMASCENE Chenin Blanc Swartland
The 2022 Chenin Blanc (Swartland) is whole cluster pressed and matured in 1,000-liter Oval Austrian vats for 11 months. The very precise nose has lemon thyme and light red apple scents, with just aThe 2022 Chenin Blanc (Swartland) is whole cluster pressed and matured in 1,000-liter Oval Austrian vats for 11 months. The very precise nose has lemon thyme and light red apple scents, with just a touch of orange rind in the background. The palate has a lovely texture with a slightly resinous mouthfeel, yellow fruit mixed with ginger and marmalade, and a light twist of bitter lemon lending tension on the finish. Fine length. A very classy Chenin. Rating: 92 Neal Martin, www.vinous.com (Aug 2023)
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2022 DAMASCENE Chenin Blanc Stellenbosch
The 2022 Chenin Blanc from Stellenbosch comes from vines on Greywacke, shale and granite soils planted between 1972 and 1981, whole cluster pressed and aged in oval Austrian foudres. This has aThe 2022 Chenin Blanc from Stellenbosch comes from vines on Greywacke, shale and granite soils planted between 1972 and 1981, whole cluster pressed and aged in oval Austrian foudres. This has a little more presence on the nose and is more outgoing with yellow plum, nectarine, peach skin and hints of red fruit. There is real complexity, becoming ever more minerally with aeration. The palate is very well-balanced with a little more viscosity and lees expression, lightly spiced with a vivacious saline finish. There is a sense of completeness here. Superb. Drinking range: 2024 - 2038 Rating: 94 Neal Martin, www.vinous.com (Aug 2023)
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2021 DAMASCENE Cabernet Sauvignon Stellenbosch
The 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon is matured in 50% new oak for the first year and 2,000 oval Austrian foudre in the second year. This is more cohesive and fresher than the 2022 Cabernet Franc tastedThe 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon is matured in 50% new oak for the first year and 2,000 oval Austrian foudre in the second year. This is more cohesive and fresher than the 2022 Cabernet Franc tasted alongside with blackberry, cedar and graphite aromas. The palate is vibrant on the entry, well-balanced with pliant tannins, taut and linear before fanning out with impressive precision on the finish. This would give a top Bordeaux a run for its money. Definitely a level-up on the previous vintage. Drinking range: 2025 - 2040 Rating: 92 Neal Martin, www.vinous.com (Aug 2023)
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2022 DAMASCENE Syrah Ceres Plateau
The 2022 Syrah from Bokkeveld Shales utilizes 60% whole cluster fruit matured for 11 months in 2,000-liter Austrian oak. This has a more fruit-intense bouquet, perhaps partly from using submerged capThe 2022 Syrah from Bokkeveld Shales utilizes 60% whole cluster fruit matured for 11 months in 2,000-liter Austrian oak. This has a more fruit-intense bouquet, perhaps partly from using submerged cap during fermentation. There’s blueberry and blackberry fruit, just a hint of iodine and garrigue surfacing with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with filigree tannins, a slightly powdery texture, and a touch of flintiness emerging towards the finish. Very pure in style, gaining volume with aeration. I foresee this cuvée closing down for 2-3 years before exiting the other side. Great potential, but one for the patient. Drinking range: 2028 - 2048 Rating: 94+ Neal Martin, www.vinous.com (Aug 2023)
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2022 DAMASCENE Syrah Swartland
The 2022 Syrah from Swartland comes from mostly shale and schist soils, 25% on granite soils, using 75% whole cluster fruit (the shale using submerged cap during fermentation). Aged in 2,000-literThe 2022 Syrah from Swartland comes from mostly shale and schist soils, 25% on granite soils, using 75% whole cluster fruit (the shale using submerged cap during fermentation). Aged in 2,000-liter Austrian oak, this leans more towards red berries, with touches of flint and white pepper with a hint of garrigues coming through with aeration. The medium-bodied palate has finely sculpted tannins. There’s a lovely symmetry and focus here, a gentle but insistent grip with the whole bunches imparting irresistible peppery notes towards the finish. Superb. Drinking range: 2027 - 2050 Rating: 96 Neal Martin, www.vinous.com (Apr 2024)
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2022 DAMASCENE Syrah Stellenbosch
The 2022 Syrah from Karabib is 75% whole clusters matured for 11 months in 2,000-liter Austrian oak. This elegant nose of incense and pressed violets infuses the vivacious melange of black and blueThe 2022 Syrah from Karabib is 75% whole clusters matured for 11 months in 2,000-liter Austrian oak. This elegant nose of incense and pressed violets infuses the vivacious melange of black and blue fruit. The medium-bodied palate has fine structure, slightly chalky in texture, with real backbone and density, yet the elegance floods through on the black pepper and clove-infused finish. Very persistent in the mouth. Tuck bottles away for several years as this is a serious Syrah sculpted by its cooler microclimate. Drinking range: 2028 - 2048 Rating: 95 Neal Martin, www.vinous.com (Aug 2023)
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2022 DAMASCENE Cabernet Franc Stellenbosch
A heady mix of violets, crushed rose petals, tobacco leaf, and pencil shavings; interspersed with sweeter blueberry and cassis. The palate embodies the essence of the cultivar: lithe andA heady mix of violets, crushed rose petals, tobacco leaf, and pencil shavings; interspersed with sweeter blueberry and cassis. The palate embodies the essence of the cultivar: lithe and red-fruited, offering a high-resolution mosaic of raspberry, pomegranate and cherry, followed by gentler maraschino and currants. All framed by articulate plum skin tannins. As it warms, notes of cedar, blueberry, and roasted plum emerge, leading to a finish with a final burst of violets, tomato leaf, and raspberry sherbet.Winemaker's notes (Jul 2024)
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