2023 Damascene | New Vintage Release

Hailing from vines planted in 1942 and 1962, the 2023 Sémillon Franschhoek suffered some sunburn that had to be sorted out, so there is less quantity this year. Matured for 11 months in oval AustrianHailing from vines planted in 1942 and 1962, the 2023 Sémillon Franschhoek suffered some sunburn that had to be sorted out, so there is less quantity this year. Matured for 11 months in oval Austrian vats with zero malo (like the previous vintage), this expresses the variety with style—very well defined and quite mineral-driven. The palate is precise with a silver bead of acidity. A touch of white pepper and wilted white flowers gradually builds toward a lively and harmonious finish, leaving behind a hint of chai. Excellent. Drinking range: 2025 - 2038 Rating: 93 Neal Martin, www.vinous.com (Sept 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)

This is a gorgeous wine, luminous and proud. The Damascene 2023 Swartland Chenin Blanc (with 2,970 bottles created) opens to a linear presentation based on sweet citrus, bergamot and honeydew melon.This is a gorgeous wine, luminous and proud. The Damascene 2023 Swartland Chenin Blanc (with 2,970 bottles created) opens to a linear presentation based on sweet citrus, bergamot and honeydew melon. The focus of the wine is intense, and it remains elegant throughout with a medium build and salty or mineral nuances to close. At the end of a day of wine tasting in my office, I choose my favorite bottle to bring back home for dinner. This was that bottle. Fruit comes from granite soil vineyards planted in 1979 and 1983. Whole-cluster fruit is delicately pressed. It ages in Austrian oval oak for 11 months. Rating: 96 Monica Larner, The Wine Advocate (www.robertparker.com) (Jun 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)

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)

The 2023 Syrah Swartland comes from 25% granite soils and 75% on schist/shale soils, with submerged cap used for the latter and normal pump-overs on the former. This is more backward and almost surlyThe 2023 Syrah Swartland comes from 25% granite soils and 75% on schist/shale soils, with submerged cap used for the latter and normal pump-overs on the former. This is more backward and almost surly on the nose compared to the more expressive Stellenbosch Syrah, displaying darker fruit and a little tar and graphite. The palate is medium-bodied with powdery, bordering on gritty tannins. Quite linear and structured in style with a Cornas-inspired finish, it leaves a dash of black pepper and black olive tapenade to linger on the aftertaste. Very classy. Drinking range: 2026 - 2040 Rating: 93 Neal Martin, www.vinous.com (Sept 2024)

A very fresh and elegant syrah that has fragrant thyme, sour-cherry, wild-raspberry and balsamic aromas. It’s medium-bodied, silky and bright. Delightful. Drink now or hold.A very fresh and elegant syrah that has fragrant thyme, sour-cherry, wild-raspberry and balsamic aromas. It’s medium-bodied, silky and bright. Delightful. Drink now or hold. Rating: 93 James Suckling, www.jamessuckling.com (Nov 2024)