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)

The 2023 Chenin Blanc Old Bush Vines Stellenbosch comes from vines along the Bottelary Ridge with various orientations on different soil types. In 2023, Jean Smit felt that it needed more graniticThe 2023 Chenin Blanc Old Bush Vines Stellenbosch comes from vines along the Bottelary Ridge with various orientations on different soil types. In 2023, Jean Smit felt that it needed more granitic soils in the blend. This is fresh and bright on the nose, more citrus-driven than its Swartland counterpart, with just a touch of orange pith developing with aeration. The palate is well balanced with a keen line of acidity. Touches of peach and nectarine and a hint of lemongrass lift the finish. This has a little more vigor than the Swartland this year. Drinking range: 2025 - 2035 Rating: 92 Neal Martin, www.vinous.com (Sept 2024)

A bright and lively white that has notes of sliced pears, yellow apples, chamomile and minerals. It’s medium- to full-bodied with gentle phenolics and steely tension underneath. Drink now or hold.A bright and lively white that has notes of sliced pears, yellow apples, chamomile and minerals. It’s medium- to full-bodied with gentle phenolics and steely tension underneath. Drink now or hold. Rating: 93 James Suckling, www.jamessuckling.com (Nov 2024)

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)

Taut, broody and spicy, the peppery red savoury nature of the fruit speaks of Karibib’s class and stature. 75% whole cluster, with the rest whole berry. Kept on the stems for 3 weeks max before beingTaut, broody and spicy, the peppery red savoury nature of the fruit speaks of Karibib’s class and stature. 75% whole cluster, with the rest whole berry. Kept on the stems for 3 weeks max before being pressed into 2000 litre Stockinger foudre vats for 10 to 11 months. Planted 300m above sea level in 1996, 14kms from the False Bay. A complex melange of sultry red peppercorns, Asian five spice, star anis, and sweet savoury potpourri notes. The palate is pure, taut, and tightly wound with the most incredibly fine grained tannins, silky mouthfeel and savoury, mineral weightless fruit concentration on the finish. Intensity over concentration of weight. Really very classy and grown up. Rating: 95+ Greg Sherwood MW (Nov 2024)

Dry land farmed from an east facing plot next to Goldmine and Roundstone with soils that are a mixture of brown shale and schist. Another 20% of fruit added from a granitic site on the JakkalsfonteinDry land farmed from an east facing plot next to Goldmine and Roundstone with soils that are a mixture of brown shale and schist. Another 20% of fruit added from a granitic site on the Jakkalsfontein farm with a 75% whole cluster portion. The aromatics show a lofty, piercing perfume, intensity and florality with violets, rose petals, waxy crayons, incense, potpourri, and vibrant red berries, cranberry, wild strawberry and pithy red currant fruits. The minerality is beautifully chalky with a graphite vein and a pithy, wet river pebble complexity. Seamless balance, harmonious and incredibly well made, finishing with a seductive black olive and red bramble berry intensity. Superb! Rating: 96 Greg Sherwood MW (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)