Mont Blois new releases

By , 3 July 2017

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5

Ernst and Nina-Marie Bruwer own and run three Robertson farms (total area under vineyard: 290h) and in so doing, continue a well-established family legacy – Ernst is the sixth generation of his family to farm here, property first acquired in 1869 and the cellar originally built in 1884.

Mont Blois has long supplied Distell and other large-volume producers but the couple, who met while studying viticulture and oenology at the University of Stellenbosch in the 2000s, are fully aware that meaningful profits lie in establishing a premium range of own label wine.

Tasting notes and ratings as follows:

Mont Blois Kweekkamp Chardonnay 2016
Price: R295
From limestone soil. Fermented and matured for 12 months in French oak, none new. Citrus, talcum powder and some yeasty complexity on the nose. The palate is currently tightly wound but has a real precision about it with concentrated fruit and tangy acidity, the finish long and dry.

Editor’s rating: 91/100.

Mont Blois Hoog en Laag Chardonnay 2016
Price: R295
From clay. Fermented and matured for 12 months in French oak, none new. An attractive note of citrus blossom before lemon and blue orange. Rich and thick textured, tanging acidity lending balance, a little spice on the finish. Has a generosity about it.

Editor’s rating: 93/100.

Mont Blois Groot Steen Chenin Blanc 2016

Lives up to its name.

Mont Blois Groot Steen Chenin Blanc 2016
Price: R295
From a 1987 vineyard planted on alluvial soil. Fermented and matured for 12 months in French oak, none new. A very exotic nose of flowers and dried herbs before citrus, peach and melon plus a little bees’ wax. Rich and textured but again a lovely line of acidity ensures verve. A hearty wine with layers of flavour, a little bitterness on the finish adding interest.

Editor’s rating: 95/100.

Mont Blois Harpie Muscadel 2016
Price: R240 per 500ml bottle
From a western facing, cooler site. A pretty yet relatively shy nose – hints of flowers and herbs before litchi, honey and spice. The palate is currently tight and closed but promises much in years to come. Nicely zippy acidity.

Editor’s rating: 91/100.

Mont Blois Pomphuis Muscadel 2016
Price: R240 per 500ml bottle
From northern facing, warmer site. Very expressive with notes of sultanas, white peach, mint and other herbs plus a touch of hay. Rich and full but no shortage of balanced and drive thanks to fresh acidity. Layers of flavour with some spice on the finish. Long and dry.

Editor’s rating: 94/100.

To view an album of our visit to Mont Blois, click here.

Find our South African wine ratings database here.

Comments

5 comment(s)

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    Sandy | 16 July 2018

    I have a bottle of Mont Blois Estate Muscadel vintage 1989 gekeurde likeurwyn. Inquisitive as to how much this would sell for.
    Do you perhaps know?

    Mark | 4 July 2017

    Thanks, its a new one for me!

    Mark | 3 July 2017

    what on earth is blue orange? presumably a misstype of blood orange? 🙂

      Christian | 4 July 2017

      Hi Mark, Blue orange describes the state of an orange that’s just starting to rot. “Lunchbox orange” might be a better term. Not very nice to eat but somehow quite an attractive quality on a wine. Forgive me if you find it fanciful.

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