DAMASCENE
2021 Chenin Blanc Swartland
| Grapes | Chenin Blanc |
| Colour | White |
| Origin | South Africa |
| Village | Swartland |
| ABV | 13% |
Instantly impressive with notes of sautéed almonds, white peaches and hints of lees, the 2021 Swartland Chenin Blanc, made with natural ambient yeast, shows immense complexity on the nose with aromas of lemon pastry cream and yellow apples. Light to medium-bodied and with 12.7% alcohol, it shows a more petite frame yet maintains an immense level of complexity while offering succulent acidity with a kiss of phenolic bitterness. This Chenin Blanc ends with a long, lingering finish that has me wanting more. Only 2,210 bottles were produced. Drinking range: 2023 - 2038 Rating: 97 Anthony Mueller, The Wine Advocate (Dec 2023)
| 12 | ||
*Case price discount: Mix any 12 bottles of wine (or 9 litre equivalent) or 6 bottles of Champagne, Spirits, Sweet Wine or Fortified (4.5 litres) to get the discounted 'case price' for each bottle.
A little richer than the Stellenbosch stablemate with good grip and perceptible Chenin character but not nearly such good value as the Anjou Blanc! 13% Drinking range: 2023 - 2027 Rating: 16 Jancis Robinson OBE MW - www.JancisRobinson.com (Oct 2023)
This is from Jakalsfontein, across the road from Eben, on granite soils on the Paardeberg. Taut with layeres of lemon, lime and even dried herbs. There’s a twist of salinity here, with some nice sour lemon on the finish. Lovely taut fruit here, with a hint of mint. 95/100 (JG) Rating: 95 Jamie Goode, www.wineanorak.com (Sept 2023)
This is the second vintage of a Damascene Swartland Chenin Blanc, sourced from two sources on the granite soils of the Paardeberg. Chiselled, focused, nuanced and well balanced, it has notes of oatmeal, lanolin and wet stones, thrilling minerality and a savoury undertone from wild yeast fermentation. Drinking range: 2024 - 2030 Rating: 94 Tim Atkin MW, www.timatkin.com (Sept 2023)
Damascene
Damascene is a seriously exciting new find for us in South Africa. Their maiden vintage here was 2018 and we were blown away by the results. 2019, their second vintage was sold out on release, read the press release HERE.
The highly acclaimed Jean Smit, previously winemaker at Boekenhoutskloof, has teamed up with David Curl, former owner of Bordeaux’s Chateau Gaby.
Their goal is to explore all across the South African winelands in search of exceptional sites. Sites that deliver an important moment of insight, and hence the name of the project. A Damascene moment of clarity, where we can all understand the greatness of these small, prized plots.
The vineyards are old and well established but small, so each of these brilliant wines is only released in very small quantities. We urge you to catch them while you can.
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