South Africa 2021

The most improved wine in Franco’s cellar, this is a stunner in 2020. It’s a blend of 44% Grenache Noir, 31% Cinsault, and 25% Syrah, and is floral, lifted, and so light on its feet. There’s such perfume here, as well as incredible energy. Just such a delight.

This is a blend of 52% Chenin Blanc from Swartland and Stellenbosch, 40% Verdelho from Stellenbosch, from the Cape’s oldest block, 5% Grenache Blanc which spends five days on the skins, and 3% Grenache Gris, fermented in clay pots. It’s a brilliant white, all about texture, drive, and savouriness. This is not to be missed.

From Piekenierskloof, and produced in tiny quantities, this is a little more serious than last year. Notes of liquorice and plenty of floral lift, and a very silky finish. Delicious, and likely very ageworthy.

From a vineyard on the Piekenierskloof planted in 1977 at 750m altitude, on sandy soils (remarkably close to the Skurfberg), Steen means Chenin Blanc in Afrikaans, while Skuinskap refers to the training method that's typical up here, more commonly used for table grapes. It's a tense, vibrant expression of Chenin, that's sure to have an impressively long life ahead. Just 1,333 bottles produced.