Anwilka 2014

When Zdenek Bakala and business associate Charles Harman bought Klein Constantia from Lowell Jooste in 2011, they were also compelled to acquire Anwilka in Stellenbosch, the joint venture Jooste had undertaken with Bruno Prats, former owner of Cos-d’Estournel in St-Estèphe and Hubert de Boüard de Laforest, co-owner of St-Émilion property Angelus.

With Prats and De Boüard continuing to be involved in terms of the ownership of both properties, it must be seen as some indication that Anwilka was viewed as under-performing because a major re-planting programme was begun in 2012 which is still on-going.

Junoesque.

Current release of Anwilka is 2014, a blend of 52% Syrah, 37% Cabernet Sauvignon and 11% Petit Verdot (recommended retail price: R380 a bottle). Black and blue fruit plus spice on the nose, the palate is sweet, rich and ripe – gobs of fruit and smooth in texture, many will like it for its lusciousness. Alcohol: 14.48%.

Editor’s rating: 90/100.

Winemaker Jean du Plessis yesterday also showed the 2015 which is arguably the most convincing bottling to date. 64% Syrah, 29% Cabernet Sauvignon and 7% Petit Verdot, it has a very attractive nose of red and black fruit, dried flowers, herbs and spice. The palate displays good fruit definition, fresh acidity and nicely grippy tannins, the finish long and savoury. Not quite so obvisously ripe, the extraction more sensitively handled, this suggests that the brains trust might finally have worked out how to get the best out of this property.

Editor’s rating: 91/100.

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