South Africa: New releases

The Ramnasgras Cinsault is as pure and complex an expression as you’ll find of Cinsault, also known as Hermitage in South Africa, and the country’s workhorse red grape. It comes from a vineyard planted in 1966, and is ageworthy, mineral, and stunningly long. There's loads of pomegranate fruit, salinity, and iron oxide in 2019. So complex.

The Family White is a blend of Chenin Blanc alongside Grenache Blanc, Verdelho, Roussanne, Palomino and Semillon. It shows the classic tautness of the Paardeberg’s granite soils, but with a few years in bottle, it flourishes, becoming waxy, mineral, honeyed but yet still savoury. This is stunning. Orchard fruit, grapefruit and a hint of cinnamon. This is so complex, so much tension and a finish that lasts an age. Brilliant.

Just twelve long rows make up the Raaigras Grenache vineyard. Planted in 1952, it’s the oldest Grenache vineyard in the Cape, and faces south east, allowing the longest ripening time possible. Adi jokes that its name rhymes with Rayas, but this is a serious, delicious, ageworthy Grenache in its own right.

The Klipkop Chenin Blanc is planted next door to the Golden Slopes vineyard. Planted two years earlier, in 1966, it’s a richer, more fruit forward expression of Chenin: there's richness but also delicacy on the finish. So much to like here.

The Golden Slopes Chenin Blanc vineyard is situated at the very entrance of the Kalmoesfontein estate, with vines planted in 1968. It takes its name from the large yellow granite blocks that you’ll find in the vineyards, and is a taut, mineral expression of Chenin Blanc.

The Family red is predominantly Shiraz, with Grenache, Tinta Barocca, and Cinsault alongside. It’s a wine for Braais and rich stews, with an impressive tannic backbone and tons of depth. So pure and floral, so much texture and fragrance. This gets better and better, with more freshness and precision

And who says Cinsault can't age? A cellar release of a special, old Cinsault vineyard on Adi's farm.

A cellar release of a special wine, from the oldest Grenache vineyard in the Cape.

And who says Cinsault can't age? A cellar release of a special, old Cinsault vineyard on Adi's farm.

A cellar release of a special wine, from the oldest Grenache vineyard in the Cape.