Scions of Sinai new releases

Heavy spring rainfall followed by a dry, windy start to summer accelerated growth in the vineyards leading up to the 2024 harvest, says Bernhard Bredell of Scions of Sinai. “I had to make a lot of pressure calls—picking decisions were being made by the hour, not the day.” His keen attention has yielded a remarkable collection of wines, all sourced from the Lower Helderberg region of Stellenbosch, unless otherwise stated.

Granitas 2024
Price: R210
NEW (replaces Rocinante and the skin-macerated Señor Tallos). 60% Chenin Blanc, 30% Grenache blanc and 10% Roussanne, the former component from Stellenbosch and the latter two from Voor Paardeberg. Matured for nine months in a combination of stainless-steel tank, old oak and foudre. Aromatic notes of flowers, herbs, peach and citrus, underpinned by the subtlest leesy complexity. The palate shows pure fruit and vibrant acidity, the finish gently savoury. Not without weight, alcohol at 13% – accessible but far from facile. Utterly delicious.

CE’s rating: 92/100.

Atlantikas Pinotage 2024
Price: R210
Grapes from three untrellised vineyards. The nose shows flowers, herbs, red currant and orange – very sexy. The palate is juicy and fresh, the tannins lightly grippy, providing a sort of white pepper bite to the finish. Alc: 13.5%.

CE’s rating: 91/100.

Gramadoelas Grenache Blanc 2024
Price: R330
Grapes from a Klein Karoo vineyard planted in 2009. Boisterous aromatics of flowers, herbs, citrus, peach and ginger, with an intriguing yeasty edge. The palate is marked by great fruit purity and racy acidity, the finish long and dry. Intensely flavoured with a compelling angularity – arresting and hugely characterful. Alc: 12.5%.

CE’s rating: 95/100.

Granietsteen Chenin Blanc 2024
Price: R455
Grapes from a vineyard planted in 1978. Sublime, extraordinarily intricate aromatics: fynbos and fennel, blossom and pear, peach, lime, lemon and green apple, all overlaid with a whisper of flinty reduction. The palate is taut and linear, intense without excess weight, coursing with energy. The finish is long, pithy, resonant. A wine of remarkable clarity – complex yet composed, and perilously close to complete. Alc: 12.5%.

CE’s rating: 98/100.

Heldervallei Cinsault 2024
Price: R330
Grapes from a vineyard planted originally planted in 1968 and then renewed with interplanting in 1988. 25% whole-bunch fermentation before maturation lasting 11 months in older 225- and 400-litre barrels. Beautifully perfumed with notes of cherry, plum, pomegranate, rose, violet and a touch of herb. The palate is seamless – vivid fruit, bright acidity and ultra-fine, powdery tannins come together in very pleasing fashion. The finish is long and saline. Alc: 12.5%.

CE’s rating: 95/100.

Féniks Pinotage 2024
Price: R400
Grapes from a vineyard planted in 1976. Heady aromatics of red and black cherry, plum, florals and fynbos. The palate shows plush fruit—rounded but not overly sweet, bright acidity lending balance. The tannins are soft, perhaps lacking a little grip, but the finish is still clean and dry. Harvested 18 January, alcohol at 13.5%.

CE’s rating: 92/100.

Swanesang Syrah 2024
Price: R455
Grapes from a 0.7ha vineyard planted in 1999. 85% whole-cluster fermentation before maturation lasting 12 months, 80% in concrete and 20% in old oak. Evocative aromatics – an initial touch of reduction, not unwelcome, giving way to dark berries, lilies, herbs and a twist of black pepper. The palate offers generous fruit, neatly balanced by fresh acidity, the tannins fine-grained and mouth-coating. There’s a particularly appealing suppleness to the wine in this vintage – harmonious and assured. Alc: 13%.

CE’s rating: 95/100.

Krummelklip Cabernet Sauvignon 2024
Price: R425
From a vineyard planted in 2008 on a combination of granite and ferricrete. Matured for 12 months in older 225- and 228-litre barrels. Cassis, maybe a touch of olive, rose and some leafiness on the nose while the palate is medium-bodied – great fruit integrity, fresh acidity and firm but not coarse tannins. Pure and balanced, demonstrating that not all Cab needs to be gargantuan…

CE’s rating: 93/100.

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