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)

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)

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)

The 2023 Syrah Stellenbosch comes from the Karibib Vineyard. It was vinified with 75% whole clusters, with light pump-overs conducted twice a year without breaking the berries. This has aThe 2023 Syrah Stellenbosch comes from the Karibib Vineyard. It was vinified with 75% whole clusters, with light pump-overs conducted twice a year without breaking the berries. This has a sophisticated, garrigue-scented bouquet that is very seductive, complex and beautifully defined, just like the previous vintage. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins, allowing that garrigue note to blossom with aeration. Very poised and persistent through the finish, this is one of the best Syrahs you will find from Stellenbosch. Drinking range: 2026 - 2042 Rating: 95 Neal Martin, www.vinous.com (Sept 2024)

Jean Smit's Swartland Syrah is a 90/10 blend from Kasteelberg and Jakkalsfontein, located on schist and granite soils, respectively. Stony, sappy and intense, it has fynbos and garrigue aromas,Jean Smit's Swartland Syrah is a 90/10 blend from Kasteelberg and Jakkalsfontein, located on schist and granite soils, respectively. Stony, sappy and intense, it has fynbos and garrigue aromas, understated oak from large Austrian foudres, plenty of grip and acidity, fig and black olive flavours and a waft of brine and kelp. 2026-34 Drinking range: 2026 - 2034 Rating: 97 Tim Atkin MW, www.timatkin.com (Sept 2025)

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)