CHENIN BLANC

2023 La Cosmica Swartland Tim Hillock

IN STOCK
Grapes Chenin Blanc
Colour White
Origin South Africa
Village Swartland
ABV 13%

The name Cosmica is from the Spanish for The Cosmos and refers to the panoramic view of the stars from the vineyard. A sight that Tim has fallen in love with after constant late-night and early-morning grape sampling with a headtorch. As the farm is so far from the nearest town it allows the most amazing star gazing. You can see the Milky Way and even some shooting stars if you care to look long enough. The vineyard and the winemaking is exactly the same as the winning 2022,again this is aged in large Stockinger foudres. The result is a hugely expressive, but fresh and long Chenin. Gently intense, with pretty hedgerow flowers, fresh-cut green herbs, waxy lemons and a nutty middle. Poised perfectly and finishing long and bright. (Just 12.8% Alcohol) L&S (Jan 2025)

*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.

Aged in Stockinger foudres - the cooper of choice for winemakers who like understated oak flavours - Tim Hillock's Swartland Chenin Blanc is engagingly youthful and energetic, with layers of rice pudding, wet stones and waxed lemons and a leesy mid palate. Drinking range: 2025 - 2028 Rating: 93 Tim Atkin MW, www.timatkin.com (Jan 2025)

Tim Hillock

Tim trained at the University of Stellenbosch in viticulture and oenology with another of our new boys - Albert Van Niekerk. Having set up base at his uncle's beautiful farm in the heart of the Swartland, Tim shares cellar-space with some brilliant winemakers.

This is a fabulous microcosm of South Africa's incredibly collaborative wine scene today. Where independent, small-scale vignerons - young and old - work together, feeding off each other's experience and enthusiasm. Callie Louw from Porseleinberg and the towering Donovan Rall are neighbours and mentors here.

Tim is young, ambitious and talented and loves working alongside these highly respected winemakers. Tim's charm, enthusiasm and talent mean that he is already getting his hands on top-quality fruit from small parcels and contracting vineyards that make you swoon.

The aim here is to deliver expressive, fresh and nuanced wines that illustrate in the glass, the unique story of each site.

This means that in the cellar the wines are gently coaxed into life. Fermentations are spontaneous with no interventions, and Tim uses various vessels for the élevage including concrete, beautiful Stockinger casks and amphora too - depending on the variety and the vintage. Tim's vineyards are mostly Swartland, but he found the fresh climes of Ceres too hard to resist and also makes some Pinot Noir from fruit on this cool, high plain.

This wine isn't currently part of a mixed case, but you can always browse our full selection of mixed cases here.
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