Cape of Good Hope

Lemon and grapefruit zest aromas with a dusty flint edge. Those same flavours immediately announce themselves on the palate, bright, tangy and vivacious. The interplay of fruit and zingy acid is beautifully harmonious and well judged. Underpinning it all is a structured, subtle lees depth which lends both body and length to the succulent mouthful.

A gentle florality adds to the more prominent stonefruit and light touch of honey on the nose. The mouth delivers a veritable fruit salad: flavours of melon, nectarine, quince and apricot intermingle seamlessly. Delightful succulence and freshness from appropriate acidity but there is a broad, creamy lees undertone that adds texture and breadth to the tasty mouthful. Good composure and structure only add to the enjoyment, as does a delicate citrus pith nuance which is apparent on the long, lingering aftertaste.

Limestone and dust motes mingle with foliage and a gentle wisp of pear blossom on the nose. The immediate impression is vivid and thrilling, with zesty grapefruit, nettles, and crisp succulence. The wine then unfolds, growing in both texture and flavor, offering richer, broader elements of lemon oil, subtle creamy oak, and a touch of wax with the faintest hint of honey. It has a delightful frame and body, with a cohesive interplay of lively acidity, lees richness, and vibrant fruit. It will reward patience, gaining in complexity and nuance over time, with the waxy note becoming more prominent.

Gentle notes of nectarine and limestone, with a hint of vanilla biscuit and orange peel. The subtlety continues on the palate. Initially, it is energetic and vivacious, with crisp, bright, and lively lime and orange notes, complemented by vibrant acidity that lends freshness. Then, a broader, rich yet restrained quality develops, revealing a subtle creamy nuttiness tinged with a light vanilla note. Nothing dominates, and the wine displays a harmonious balance of oak, fruit, and acidity, which lingers persistently but not assertively. Overall, it is a wine that whispers seductively rather than shouts.

An array of stone fruit mingles with citrus leaf, a whiff of vanilla, spice and a subtle florality on the nose. On entry, the palate is tangy and lively but also creamy and broad. Instantly apparent are the nectarine, peach and citrus flavours, with an interesting pithy grip of texture and a savouriness too. There’s a lovely harmony of acid succulence with rich, understated, almost nutty oak support. The well-knit wood just brackets and cradles the fruit rather than dominating it. Elegant and composed with good poise, there’s a tasty spice and vanilla note that makes itself felt on the lengthy, rewarding aftertaste. Superb complexity and apparent effortlessness make it all too easy to drink.

Tempting hints of delicate florals flank more prominent aromas of chamomile, white peach, and lightly honeyed spice. Ripe, sunkissed stone fruits make the first impression on the palate, showcasing peach, nectarine, and a hint of apricot. It displays a zesty vibrance and liveliness, with acidity beautifully counterbalancing the fruit’s succulence. Poised and well-structured, both oak and lees contribute subtly to its mouthfeel. Seamless and rewarding, the gentle honey

Aromas reminiscent of Christmas pudding – spice, dark plum, cherry and berry fruit. Hint of mint too. That lively spice and plum pudding interplay continues in the mouth. The palate is compact and cohesive rather than big, bold and full bodied. The oak counters the ripe fruit, providing backbone and staying power with an impressively long, dry finish.

Delicate raspberry and red cherry aromas with earthy, forest floor and gentle spice notes. That same sprightly lightness is found in the mouth: gentle, juicy and delicately spicy on entry – with cherry, plum and raspberry vibrance. Bright, fresh and vigorous with some more intense earthy, forest floor and leafy nuances which lend dimension and depth. It is seamless, supple and pliable with an ethereality that is enticing – but there is backbone and power too. Effortlessly integrated, it is focussed but impressively long on the finish and delivers heaps of flavour and interest.

Intriguing blend of black fruit – ripe plum and black cherry – mingled with spice, fynbos, dried herb and olives can be found aromatically. Succulence is the first impression in the mouth – followed swiftly by what the nose promised: the dark, ripe plum flavour, dried herbs, black olive and fynbos along with spice and a creamy, buttery mouthfeel. Gentle hint of earthy cocoa powder too. Superbly balanced, rounded and poised with the fruit in harmony with acid, as well as the oak it has matured in. There’s a sense of leashed power, refinement and elegance to this wine, as if it has yet to reach its best expression. Long, rewarding tail. Will compensate patience if well cellared, as befits the exceptional 2021 vintage.

Gentle nose of blue and black fruit with a brush of spice, dried herb, licorice and a haunting violet floral note. Those same elements can be found in the mouth: the ripe blue and black berry fruits, herb, licorice and spice. It is abundantly fruited but genteel, refined and velvety smooth –but also fresh and succulent. Nothing is overplayed, the palate is structured and integrated with seamless oaking contributing to the soft mouthfeel and texture and framing the fruit well. Rewarding lingering tail and elegant finish.

Cracked black pepper and herb aromas mingle with dark berry fruit compote on the nose. The palate is savoury with a succulence that is both refreshing and moreish. The silky mouthfeel is complemented by the ripe, dark fruit – blackberry and plum – along with a more savoury nuance of olive tapenade, spice and even a charcuterie/meatiness reminiscent of the Northern Rhône. Structured, firm body with integrated tannin demonstrating that the oak is in harmony with the fruit. It’s showing the impact of the prolonged drought in its tautness but will reward patience.

Appealing raspberry and plump cherry fruit aromas. The same succulence and rounded juicy dark fruit continues on the palate – with standout plum, cherry and raspberry flavours. A light baking spice nuance adds to the complexity and gentle Christmas cake appeal, along with supportive, seamless oak balance. Smooth textured and long with an enticing, dry yet fruited finish.