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)

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)

From a plot sourced from the Mooiplaas Farm. Shows complex aromatics of mint leaf, sweet leaf spice and a delicate herbaceousness, with an underlying tilled earth note, earthy red currant fruit,From a plot sourced from the Mooiplaas Farm. Shows complex aromatics of mint leaf, sweet leaf spice and a delicate herbaceousness, with an underlying tilled earth note, earthy red currant fruit, dusty minerality and subtle minty chocolate peppermint crisp nuances. The palate is cool and sleek, intense yet beautifully seductive and elegant, with velvety creamy tannins and a tangy, delicately fresh acidity. An atypical Cabernet Franc but utterly delicious! Rating: 94 Greg Sherwood MW (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)

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)