False Bay new releases

If you’re a wine nut, and you must be otherwise you wouldn’t be reading this, you probably drink the stuff pretty regularly and then finding something that over-delivers on quality relative to price becomes important lest the whole affair become prohibitively expensive.

I recently got to taste the entry-level False Bay range from Waterkloof in Somerset West  and was dead impressed – retailing at R58 a bottle, here is a line-up of wines which are not nearly as bland and dreary as many of their counterparts at the same price point (thanks to old vineyards in many instances and non-interventionist winemaking).  They’ve also just been given a packaging make-over, each label now bearing an image by UK illustrator Stanley Chow, so they look quite smart, too. Tasting notes and ratings as follows:

False Bay Windswept Sauvignon Blanc 2017
Alc 13%. From two Stellenbosch vineyards, one planted in 2004 and the other in 2006. A top note of fynbos before white peach plus hints of granadilla and pineapple. The palate has good texture and nicely coated acidity. Thankfully none too green.

Editor’s rating: 87/100.

False Bay Chrystalline Chardonnay 2017
Alc 13.5%. From a 2004 Stellenbosch vineyard and a 2007 Wellington. Spontaneous fermentation and unoaked. Pear, white peach and citrus plus a hint of reduction. Pure and fresh with a pithy finish. Honest and unadorned.

Editor’s rating: 87/100.

False Bay Slow Chenin Blanc 2017
Alc 13.5%. From a 1970 Stellenbosch vineyard and a 1977 Swartland vineyard. The nose shows peach and thatch while the palate has good fruit concnentration, moderate acidity and a savoury finish. Sophisticated and satisfying.

Editor’s rating: 88/100.

False Bay Whole Bunch Cinsault Mourvèdre Rosé 2017
Alc 12.5%. From two Stellenbosch vineyards, one planted in 1974 and the other in 2002 plus a 1988 Swartland vineyard. Pale pink with a slight tinge of copper in colour. A shy nose with notes of cranberry, red cherry and spice. Light, fresh and admirably dry. Quite more-ish.

Editor’s rating: 87/100.

Keeping it real.

False Bay Old School Syrah 2017
Alc 14%. From two Stellenbosch vineyards, one planted in 2000 and the other in 2005. Matured in foudre. The nose shows dark fruit, lavender and pepper plus some not unpleasant reduction. Rich and flavourful on the palate with dense fruit, bright acidity and relatively soft tannins.

Editor’s rating: 89/100.

False Bay Bush Vine Pinotage 2014
Alc 13.5%. From Paarl vineyards, 30 years of age and older. Cherry and plum plus hints of earth and spice on the nose. Medium bodied with fresh acidity and fine tannins. Easy drinking although no longer entirely primary.

Editor’s rating: 86/100.

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