Boekenhoutskloof New Releases

As always, the Boekenhoutskloof Semillon is made with some of the oldest vines in the Cape with the two parcels from 1902 and 1942, and just a little dash of Muscat d'Alexandrie also from a 1902 plot to add aromatic lift. The wine is fermented in barrique and concrete egg with ageing in 70% new oak and the remainder in concrete eggs for texture. The 2022 Semillon is quite simply brilliant and idiosyncratic. A spicy nose of ginger, tangerine, white peach and lemon balm the palate opens out to reveal a certain creaminess from the oak yet still with a fine bead of acidity. The finish is bright and complex, this will age beautifully over the coming years.

The fruit for the Boekenhoutskloof Syrah comes 90% from the Porseleinberg farm and 10% from Goldmine. This is a spicy, nuanced Syrah with around two thirds whole bunch that was vinified in concrete before ageing in large foudres and 500 litre barrels. There are aromas of cracked pepper, roast beef, with a fleshy and rounded feel to the bramble fruit. The tannins are ripe but well defined adding tension to the finish. An excellent effort and another great Syrah from Gottfried.

Coming from a site in the Lower Helderberg, this offers a beautiful Cabernet nose of violets, blackcurrant and bramble fruit. The tannin is ripe and clothed in ample fruit with a dash of cocoa spice adding complexity. There is a lovely freshness but also intensity here with a core of purple fruit lingering on the finish.

The Franschoek Cabernet is always picked a week or two after the Stellenbosch Cabernet and uses a little more oak to give structure to the wine. This opens with notes of black tea, green peppercorn, and paprika on the nose behind which there are notes of red and black cherry and hedgerow fruit. This feels like quite a structural wine for the moment with well-sculpted tannins finishing with a little spiced note of cedar and nutmeg.

The Journeyman Cabernet Franc is the most elusive wine from Boekenhoutskloof having previously only been available discreetly from the farm. A true passion project, the fruit is hand destemmed, chilled before the fruit is added berry by berry into barrel for fermentation. The 2020 is the most elegant Journeyman to date. All poise and finesse there are aromas of espresso, dried herbs, red cherry fruit and plum. The palate is vibrant and tense with chiselled tannin and a sleek feel yet so charming. The finish is so detailed and long, this will age beautifully over the coming decade.