Lowerland new releases

Lowerland is the Coetzee family farm on the banks of the Orange River near Prieska in the Northern Cape. Spanning 12,000ha, it is primarily dedicated to pasture and grain, but there’s also 9ha of vineyard established in the early 2000s. Grapes destined for the estate’s own-label wines are transported 900km south to Paarl, where acclaimed winemaker Lukas van Loggerenberg oversees vinification. Tasting notes and ratings for the new releases as follows:

Die Wonderdraai 2024
Price: R195
65% Chenin Blanc, 27% Colombard, 8% Sauvignon Blanc. Matured for seven months in older oak. A whiff of reduction precedes green and yellow fruit on the nose. The palate is idiosyncratic – slightly awkward in shape, with tart acidity and a salty, lingering finish. Unpolished, but undeniably interesting. Alc: 13.24%.

CE’s rating: 88/100.

Die Verlore Bokooi 2024
Price: R195
31% Merlot, 24% Tannat, 21% Petit Verdot, 15% Syrah, 9% Cabernet Sauvignon. Matured for 10 months in older oak. Red and black berries, lavender, tobacco, fynbos, earth and spice on the nose. Juicy and round with vibrant acidity and powdery tannins, the finish gently savoury – every neighbourhood pizza joint should list this. Alc: 13.78%.

CE’s rating: 91/100.

Tieroog Tannat Blanc de Noir 2024
Price: R195
Matured for nine months in fourth-fill barrels. Strawberry, pomegranate, earth and spice on the nose. The palate shows bright fruit, well-integrated acidity and a dry finish, with just the right touch of creamy texture. Far from innocuous. Alc: 12.1%.

CE’s rating: 92/100.

Valkaamel Colombard 2023
Price: R425
Matured for seven months in fourth-fill barrels. Other than a subtle citrus note, the nose is restrained. The palate is all about texture rather than overt flavour – dense and weighty fruit, countered by bracing acidity. The finish is long and intensely savoury. Alc: 13.46%.

CE’s rating: 92/100.

Witgat Viognier 2024
Price: R425
Matured for seven months in fourth-fill barrels. Aromatics of peach, apricot, a touch of honeysuckle and herbs. The palate is dense and yet also possessing plenty of drive – concentrated fruit matched by zippy acidity, the finish savoury. Full of personality and proper vinosity – nothing remotely flabby here. Alc: 13.4%.

CE’s rating: 92/100.

Koedoe Cabernet Sauvignon 2023
Price: R425
Matured for 10 months in older oak. Black cherry, cassis, fennel and a touch of mint on the nose. The palate is emphatic – ripe, deeply concentrated fruit, smooth but compact tannins, the finish savoury enough to keep it all in check. Alc: 14.46%.

CE’s rating: 90/100.

Tolbos Tannat 2024
Price: R425
Matured for 10 months in older oak. Red and black berries, flowers, herbs and just a touch of meatiness. The palate hangs together seamlessly with excellent clarity of fruit, lively acidity and firm but not astringent tannins that coat the mouth. A hugely expressive, vivid wine. Alc: 13.14%

CE’s rating: 95/100.

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