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)

Jean Smit gets his Stellenbosch Chenin Blanc from three old-vine parcels in the Bottelary Hills on shale, Greywacke and granite soils. Mealy, waxy and stony, it's a savoury, bone-dry expressionJean Smit gets his Stellenbosch Chenin Blanc from three old-vine parcels in the Bottelary Hills on shale, Greywacke and granite soils. Mealy, waxy and stony, it's a savoury, bone-dry expression of the variety with lime and yellow apple flavours and a refreshing mineral core. The Stockinger foudres add a sheen of class. Drinking range: 2025 - 2031 Rating: 94 Tim Atkin MW, www.timatkin.com (Sept 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)

This amazing Syrah used to have a 10% component from the Bottelary Hills, but is now a pure expression of the Karibib farm in the Polkadraai Hills, already the source of some of the Cape's bestThis amazing Syrah used to have a 10% component from the Bottelary Hills, but is now a pure expression of the Karibib farm in the Polkadraai Hills, already the source of some of the Cape's best reds. Matured in large foudres to give the site maximum expression, it has aromas of lavender, rosemary and incense, effortless concentration, blackberry, liquorice and tapenade flavours and remarkable energy, vibrancy and focus. Drinking range: 2027 - 2035 Rating: 98 Tim Atkin MW, www.timatkin.com (Sept 2025)

A vivid and defined syrah that has aromas of pink peppercorns, raspberries, red plums and tea leaves. It’s medium-bodied, savory and fresh on the palate with a tight tannin frame. Lots of energy. TryA vivid and defined syrah that has aromas of pink peppercorns, raspberries, red plums and tea leaves. It’s medium-bodied, savory and fresh on the palate with a tight tannin frame. Lots of energy. Try from 2025. Drinking range: 2025 - Rating: 94 James Suckling, www.jamessuckling.com (Nov 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)