2023 Damascene | New Vintage Release

Two valley floor blocks on sandstone soils in Franschhoek supply the raw material for this superb, wild yeast-fermented Semillon from a producer who can seemingly do no wrong right now. Leesy,Two valley floor blocks on sandstone soils in Franschhoek supply the raw material for this superb, wild yeast-fermented Semillon from a producer who can seemingly do no wrong right now. Leesy, waxy and engagingly stony and refreshing, it has herbal top notes, chamomile, wet stone and waxed lemon flavours and a hint of oak spices. 2025-32 Drinking range: 2025 - 2032 Rating: 95 Tim Atkin MW, www.timatkin.com (Sept 2025)

With fruit from old bush vines, the Damascene 2023 Stellenbosch Chenin Blanc is luminous and bright with lifted aromas of quince, peach and summer-ripe apricot. A little motto on the back labelWith fruit from old bush vines, the Damascene 2023 Stellenbosch Chenin Blanc is luminous and bright with lifted aromas of quince, peach and summer-ripe apricot. A little motto on the back label reads, "less cult, more cultivation." That adequately sums up the philosophy of this detail-minded estate. The wine is incredibly linear and precise. The vineyards have granite, graywacke sandstone and shale soils and were planted in phases in 1972, 1980 and 1981. This release of 2,985 bottles matures in 1,000-liter oval Austrian oak vats for 11 months. This is a beauty. Rating: 95 Monica Larner, The Wine Advocate (www.robertparker.com) (Jun 2025)

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)

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)

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)

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)