City on a Hill new releases

André Bruyns, formerly assistant winemaker with David & Nadia and later vineyard manager at Lammershoek, became winemaker at Swartland mainstay Allesverloren in July. He continues with his own-label wines.

Chenin Blanc 2024
Price: R225
Grapes from four Paardeberg vineyards. Hay, pear, peach, quince and a little earthiness. Concentrated fruit, creamy texture and moderate acidity before a gently savoury finish – a classic example of the variety from this area. Alc: 13%.

CE’s rating: 91/100.

Sky Chenin Blanc 2023
Price: R525
Grapes from a Paardeberg vineyard at 400m above sea level. Top notes of herbs and potpourri before pear, white peach, lime. The palate is taut and unshowy – concentrated fruit and lively acidity before a pithy finish. Alc: 13%.

CE’s rating: 94/100.

Earth Chenin Banc 2023
Price: R525
From a Lammershoek vineyard of Chenin Blanc planted in 1968 on sandstone and quartz. Quince, peach, nectarine, a hint of waxy complexity, earth and spice on the nose. Good depth of fruit and bright acidity before a savoury, slightly bitter finish. Well balanced with layers of flavour. Alc: 13%.

CE’s rating: 95/100.

Cinsault 2024
Price: R225
From four vineyards situated across the Swartland. Pretty aromatics of rose, red currant and cherry plus hints of fynbos and spice. Pure and lively with fine tannins, the finish nicely dry. A clean, cheerful wine – immediately approachable yet rewarding, modest in the best sense. Alc: 13.5%.

CE’s rating: 92/100.

Song of Ascents Cinsault 2023
Price: R525
Grapes from a Cinsault vineyard planted in 1998, 50% undergoing whole-bunch fermentation. A most engaging nose with notes of potpourri, musk, fynbos, spice, red cherry, strawberry and orange. The palate shows good fruit definition, snappy acidity and powdery tannins. Not without breadth yet still balanced, precise. Alc: 13%.

CE’s rating: 94/100.

Thousand Hills Grenache 2023
100% whole-bunch fermentation. Black cherry, wilted rose, spice and earth on the nose while the palate has both heft and breadth – dense fruit, fresh acidity and firm tannins, the finish long and dry. Alc: 14%.

CE’s rating: 93/100.

Exodus 2023
Price: R380
35% Cinsault, the rest Grenache, Syrah, Carignan and Tinta Barocca. Varying amounts of whole-bunch fermentation, 50% in total. Red and black berries, flowers, fynbos, cured meat and spice on the nose while the palate shows good fruit weight, bright acidity and fine tannins, the finish nicely dry. Flavour, inviting, satisfying.

CE’s rating: 93/100.

Sk’Windjiesvlei Tinta Barocca 2023
Price: R525
From a 1962 vineyard farmed by Adi Badenhorst. 15% whole-bunch fermentation. Black berries, lavender and fynbos on the nose. The palate shows dense fruit, big acidity (that arguably sits a little apart) and firm tannins providing plenty of grip. Delivers notabel power for its 13.5% alcohol.

CE’s rating: 92/100.

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