Van Wyk new releases

Justin van Wyk of Constantia Glen also makes wines under his own Van Wyk Family Wines label, tasting notes and ratings for the new releases below:

Van Wyk Chenin Blanc 2017
Price: R240
From 40-year-old bush vines in Darling. Matured for seven months in old oak. Peach and apple plus some yeasty complexity on the nose while the palate shows pure fruit and moderate acidity before a savoury, slightly bitter finish –pared back to the basics. Alc: 13.5%.

Editor’s rating: 89/100.  

Van Wyk Olivia Grace 2017
Price: R220
56% Chenin Blanc, 23% Riesling, 19% Chardonnay and 2% Viognier. Matured for seven months in a combination of 10% new oak, 70% old oak and 20% concrete egg. Lime, lemon and white peach on the nose. Relatively lean and fresh with a salty finish – plenty of curiosity value. Alc: 13.5%.

Editor’s rating: 89/100.

Van Wyk Rebecca May 2017
Price: R220
69% Cinsault, 20% Grenache, 11% Syrah. Matured for seven months in old oak. Notes of red currant, cherry, lavender, earth and spice on the nose. Light, fresh and flavourful – fruit-driven with soft tannins, this is a very likeable drop. Alc: 13%.

Editor’s rating: 90/100.

Give it horns.

Van Wyk Syrah 2016
Price: R240
From Elgin grapes, winemaking involved 50% whole-bunch fermentation before maturation lasting 12 months in second-fill barrels. Black fruit, fynbos, pepper and liquorice on the nose while the palate is medium bodied with pure fruit, lively acidity and nicely grippy tannins. Carefully done, this is a wine that succeeds by virtue of its understatement. Alc: 13.5%.

Editor’s rating: 91/100.

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