2023 Damascene | New Vintage Release

This cool and caressing semillon has notes of lemon and lime peel, sliced pears, honeysuckle and beeswax. It’s medium-bodied with lively acidity on the palate and plenty of texture too. Subtly leesy.This cool and caressing semillon has notes of lemon and lime peel, sliced pears, honeysuckle and beeswax. It’s medium-bodied with lively acidity on the palate and plenty of texture too. Subtly leesy. Drink or hold. Rating: 93 James Suckling, www.jamessuckling.com (Nov 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)

"We don’t talk enough about structure in white wines," says Jean Smit, who set out to do something about it with this Paardeberg Chenin Blanc. Made with grapes from a vineyard planted between"We don’t talk enough about structure in white wines," says Jean Smit, who set out to do something about it with this Paardeberg Chenin Blanc. Made with grapes from a vineyard planted between 1971 and 1983, this has understated Austrian oak, top notes of straw and aniseed and a pithy, mouth-watering palate with granitic tension. Drinking range: 2026 - 2032 Rating: 94 Tim Atkin MW, www.timatkin.com (Sept 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)

Showing medium-dark concentration and elegantly streamlined flavors, the Damascene 2023 Stellenbosch Syrah has generous layering and a medium-plus texture. The wine is not oversized, yet the generousShowing medium-dark concentration and elegantly streamlined flavors, the Damascene 2023 Stellenbosch Syrah has generous layering and a medium-plus texture. The wine is not oversized, yet the generous nature of the fruit adds extra pleasure and a sense of pretty opulence. This is a rising star to watch. Some 75% whole-cluster fruit is courageously used in fermentation, and the wine ages in Austrian oak for 11 months. This 5,536-bottle release comes from granite soil vineyards in Karibib and Polkadraai Hills. Rating: 94 Monica Larner, The Wine Advocate (www.robertparker.com) (Jun 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)

Vines planted on Bokkeveld shale at 1,050 metres altitude. 60% whole bunch with full submerged cap for 10 days. 2000 litre conical vats for 10 to 11 months ageing. The aromatics are earthy andVines planted on Bokkeveld shale at 1,050 metres altitude. 60% whole bunch with full submerged cap for 10 days. 2000 litre conical vats for 10 to 11 months ageing. The aromatics are earthy and brambly, full of wild flowers, lilac, red apple, wet loam, and damson plum with delicate sweet orange peel and black cherry nuances. The palate is sleek and silky, beautifully polished and fine with intense fine grained tannins, weightless zero gravity fruit concentration and a chalky, gravelly, dusty, minerality on the finish. A unique expression of Syrah. Rating: 94 Greg Sherwood MW (Nov 2024)