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)

Made from a 1981 vineyard planted on decomposed granite soils on the Mooiplaas farm as well as another block on the neighbouring farm grown on Greywacke soils planted in 1972. Lastly, some fruit fromMade from a 1981 vineyard planted on decomposed granite soils on the Mooiplaas farm as well as another block on the neighbouring farm grown on Greywacke soils planted in 1972. Lastly, some fruit from a plot on the Sonop farm grown on pure shale, facing towards Jonkershoek and the Swartland in direction. Reveals quite a taut, steely, crystalline style with white citrus, stone fruits, lemon and lime peel with green melon, musk, and a pineapple bon bon lift. The palate is fleshy and rounded with beautiful depth and opulence interwoven with granitic wet stone notes, hints of crushed gravel, and a bright crystalline succulence. Impressive concentration, a wonderfully creamy, harmonious mouthfeel and a long, yellow and green fruited length. So pure and pristine. This is a masterclass in finessed winemaking. Rating: 95+ Greg Sherwood MW (Nov 2024)

"We don’t talk enough about structure in white wines," says Jean Smit, who set out to do something about it with this Paardeberg Chenin Blanc. Made with grapes from a vineyard planted between"We don’t talk enough about structure in white wines," says Jean Smit, who set out to do something about it with this Paardeberg Chenin Blanc. Made with grapes from a vineyard planted between 1971 and 1983, this has understated Austrian oak, top notes of straw and aniseed and a pithy, mouth-watering palate with granitic tension. Drinking range: 2026 - 2032 Rating: 94 Tim Atkin MW, www.timatkin.com (Sept 2025)

Jean Smit is a Syrah nut who can turn his hand to Cabernet Franc too. This comes from a 19-year-old block at Mooiplaas in the Bottelary Hills and is all about perfume, freshness and finesse,Jean Smit is a Syrah nut who can turn his hand to Cabernet Franc too. This comes from a 19-year-old block at Mooiplaas in the Bottelary Hills and is all about perfume, freshness and finesse, showing aromas of graphite, oregano and rose petal and a palate of plum, black cherry and wild herbs embellished by ageing in Austrian foudres. Drinking range: 2027 - 2035 Rating: 94 Tim Atkin MW, www.timatkin.com (Sept 2025)

Taut, broody and spicy, the peppery red savoury nature of the fruit speaks of Karibib’s class and stature. 75% whole cluster, with the rest whole berry. Kept on the stems for 3 weeks max before beingTaut, broody and spicy, the peppery red savoury nature of the fruit speaks of Karibib’s class and stature. 75% whole cluster, with the rest whole berry. Kept on the stems for 3 weeks max before being pressed into 2000 litre Stockinger foudre vats for 10 to 11 months. Planted 300m above sea level in 1996, 14kms from the False Bay. A complex melange of sultry red peppercorns, Asian five spice, star anis, and sweet savoury potpourri notes. The palate is pure, taut, and tightly wound with the most incredibly fine grained tannins, silky mouthfeel and savoury, mineral weightless fruit concentration on the finish. Intensity over concentration of weight. Really very classy and grown up. Rating: 95+ Greg Sherwood MW (Nov 2024)

Dry land farmed from an east facing plot next to Goldmine and Roundstone with soils that are a mixture of brown shale and schist. Another 20% of fruit added from a granitic site on the JakkalsfonteinDry land farmed from an east facing plot next to Goldmine and Roundstone with soils that are a mixture of brown shale and schist. Another 20% of fruit added from a granitic site on the Jakkalsfontein farm with a 75% whole cluster portion. The aromatics show a lofty, piercing perfume, intensity and florality with violets, rose petals, waxy crayons, incense, potpourri, and vibrant red berries, cranberry, wild strawberry and pithy red currant fruits. The minerality is beautifully chalky with a graphite vein and a pithy, wet river pebble complexity. Seamless balance, harmonious and incredibly well made, finishing with a seductive black olive and red bramble berry intensity. Superb! Rating: 96 Greg Sherwood MW (Nov 2024)

The 2023 Syrah Ceres Plateau comes from Bokkeveld shale soils, planted at 1,000 meters in elevation and picked the day before the harvest rains. It incorporates 60% whole cluster and submerged capThe 2023 Syrah Ceres Plateau comes from Bokkeveld shale soils, planted at 1,000 meters in elevation and picked the day before the harvest rains. It incorporates 60% whole cluster and submerged cap maceration to soften the tannins, taken off the skins a little quicker than the other Syrahs. This has a "cool" bouquet, tightly wound at first but unfolding with black fruit, black olive, a touch of garrigue and melted tar. Very Old World in style, the palate is medium-bodied with firm tannins on the entry. Finely balanced, the 2023 is more compact on the finish than the Stellenbosch cuvée, therefore I would afford this three or four years in bottle. Drinking range: 2027 - 2042 Rating: 93 Neal Martin, www.vinous.com (Sept 2024)