City on a Hill White 2018

André Bruyns of City on a Hill Wines.

André Bruyns, assistant winemaker to Swartland producers David and Nadia Sadie, says the 2018 vintage of his own-label City on a Hill wines generally have “more muscle” – his theory being that the third consecutive year of drought led to reduced leaf canopy in the vineyards, grapes subjected to dehydration rather than ripening via photosynthesis. In any event, they’ve turned out to be pretty nifty.

City on a Hill Chenin Blanc 2018
Price: R370
Matured for 10 months in older oak. Aromas of yellow peach and apricot, straw and earth. Very concentrated on the palate with punchy acidity and a savoury finish that stops just short of bitterness. Has a satisfying chunkiness about it. Alcohol: 13%.

Editor’s rating: 93/100.

City on a Hill White 2018
Price: R285
86% Chenin Blanc, 12% Viognier and 2% Muscat. Citrus, white peach, some floral fragrance and herbs on the nose. The palate is lighter and fresher than the straight Chenin Blanc making it more immediately accessible but equally it’s not short of detail and comes across as rather elegant. Alcohol: 13.5%.

Editor’s rating: 93/100.

City on a Hill Muscat d’Alexandrie 2018
Price: R260

Winemaking involving five days of skin contact, the nose has notes of flowers, buchu and mint to go with a particular grapiness. The palate is clean and fresh with a slightly salty finish, making for mouthwatering drinking. Alcohol: 12%.

Editor’s rating: 91/100.

City on a Hill Red 2018
Price: R325

New. 100% Syrah, a third from granite and two-thirds from schist, the former undergoing 20% whole-bunch fermentation and the latter 80%. Red and black fruit, olive and fynbos on the nose while the palate is light-bodied and fresh with very fine tannins. A fine first effort.

Editor’s rating: 92/100.

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