2023 Damascene | New Vintage Release

Fruit from the Goederust farm from a plot planted in 1962 and from a second plot planted in 1942 from a nearby farm on decomposed granite and sandstone soils. 100% Austrian foudre of 1000 litres usedFruit from the Goederust farm from a plot planted in 1962 and from a second plot planted in 1942 from a nearby farm on decomposed granite and sandstone soils. 100% Austrian foudre of 1000 litres used with both blocks containing some Semillon Gris. Same production method as the Chenin Blanc, with 11 months on its lees being careful to avoid too much reduction. “Getting the picking window right is crucial based more on the pH than acidity” according to Jean. The aromatics are dusty and floral with white blossom, lemon peel, lemon grass, hints of dried herbs, buttered white toast, delicate wood spice and a cashew nut complexity. Supremely cool, creamy and seamless, with lemon butter, a soft fleshy mouthfeel, tangerine peel, honied peaches, and a crystalline purity on the finish with a tangy kiss of citrus. Really excellent as always. Rating: 96 Greg Sherwood MW (Nov 2024)

Lovely texture and weight to this fresh white. Notes of crushed stones, lemons, sliced apples and honey are complemented by a creamy, rounded texture and a full body. Delicious now but can hold.Lovely texture and weight to this fresh white. Notes of crushed stones, lemons, sliced apples and honey are complemented by a creamy, rounded texture and a full body. Delicious now but can hold. Rating: 93 James Suckling, www.jamessuckling.com (Nov 2024)

Made from Chenin Blanc grown on the Paardeberg by Adi Badenhorst and from two vineyards next to Eben Sadie, planted 1971 and 1979. Vinified with whole clusters separately, followed by oxidative mustMade from Chenin Blanc grown on the Paardeberg by Adi Badenhorst and from two vineyards next to Eben Sadie, planted 1971 and 1979. Vinified with whole clusters separately, followed by oxidative must handling. Fermented warm at 20-22c in 1000 litre foudre with malo prevented by chilling. Aged on its gross lees with no racking and without stirring at 6c for 10 to 11 months before going into concrete prior to bottling. It shows lifted aromatics of wet hay, orange peel, peach and apricot, notes of melon and bruised yellow orchard fruits with hints of tropicality under a veil of granitic minerality. The palate shows punchy concentration and a fleshy intensity, a fine savoury depth together with a glycerol mouthfeel and a classic, flinty wet stone minerality on the finish. Rating: 96 Greg Sherwood MW (Nov 2024)

Chopped herbs, cranberries, wild raspberries, coffee beans and sweet paprika on the nose of this fragrant and pretty red. It’s medium-bodied on the palate with very fine, powdery tannins. Layered andChopped herbs, cranberries, wild raspberries, coffee beans and sweet paprika on the nose of this fragrant and pretty red. It’s medium-bodied on the palate with very fine, powdery tannins. Layered and delicious. Drink or hold. Rating: 93 James Suckling, www.jamessuckling.com (Nov 2024)

Showing medium-dark concentration and elegantly streamlined flavors, the Damascene 2023 Stellenbosch Syrah has generous layering and a medium-plus texture. The wine is not oversized, yet the generousShowing medium-dark concentration and elegantly streamlined flavors, the Damascene 2023 Stellenbosch Syrah has generous layering and a medium-plus texture. The wine is not oversized, yet the generous nature of the fruit adds extra pleasure and a sense of pretty opulence. This is a rising star to watch. Some 75% whole-cluster fruit is courageously used in fermentation, and the wine ages in Austrian oak for 11 months. This 5,536-bottle release comes from granite soil vineyards in Karibib and Polkadraai Hills. Rating: 94 Monica Larner, The Wine Advocate (www.robertparker.com) (Jun 2025)

From a site with 75% shale and schist and 25% granite soils, the Damascene 2023 Swartland Syrah is a tense and vibrant expression underpinned by a floral lining that reminds me of rose potpourri. ItFrom a site with 75% shale and schist and 25% granite soils, the Damascene 2023 Swartland Syrah is a tense and vibrant expression underpinned by a floral lining that reminds me of rose potpourri. It shows spice, black fruit and black olive over a mid-weight texture. Nothing about the wine is too heavy. In fact, this expression embraces an elegantly caressing approach. Fermentation sees 75% whole cluster with partial submerged cap in concrete tanks. The wine matures in 2,000-liter Austrian oak vats for 11 months. Production is 3,913 bottles. Rating: 95 Monica Larner, The Wine Advocate (www.robertparker.com) (Jun 2025)

Vines planted on Bokkeveld shale at 1,050 metres altitude. 60% whole bunch with full submerged cap for 10 days. 2000 litre conical vats for 10 to 11 months ageing. The aromatics are earthy andVines planted on Bokkeveld shale at 1,050 metres altitude. 60% whole bunch with full submerged cap for 10 days. 2000 litre conical vats for 10 to 11 months ageing. The aromatics are earthy and brambly, full of wild flowers, lilac, red apple, wet loam, and damson plum with delicate sweet orange peel and black cherry nuances. The palate is sleek and silky, beautifully polished and fine with intense fine grained tannins, weightless zero gravity fruit concentration and a chalky, gravelly, dusty, minerality on the finish. A unique expression of Syrah. Rating: 94 Greg Sherwood MW (Nov 2024)