Leeuwenkuil Grenache Noir 2015

Leeuwenkuil in the Swartland made our recent list of the top 10 most under-rated wine producers in South Africa (see here) and a tasting of new releases with head winemaker Pieter Carstens suggests this operation is set to become a household name sooner rather than later. Tasting notes and scores as follows:

Leeuwenkuil Grenache Blanc 2015
Approximate retail price: R120
A very attractive nose with top notes of flowers and dried herbs before citrus and white peach. Lovely fruit purity, a good line of acidity and an intensely savoury finish. All of a piece.

#WinemagRating: 93/100.

Leeuwenkuil Marsanne 2015
Approximate retail price: R120
Overtly floral but also some stone fruit on the nose. By no means short of flavour but full-bodied and tending to heavy on the palate, the acidity seemingly quite moderate.

#WinemagRating: 91/100.

Leeuwenkuil Heritage Chenin Blanc 2014
Approximate retail price: R200
Peach, subtle spice and some leesy character on the nose and palate. Possesses real grunt – intensely flavoured and relatively thick textured but all this offset by tangy acidity.

#WinemagRating: 92/100.

Leeuwenkuil Cinsaut 2015
Approximate retail price: R120
Red and black fruit plus a peculiar vegetal overtone on the nose and palate. Relatively rich with moderate acidity – a bit rustic but not without charm.

#WinemagRating: 88/100.

On the money.

Leeuwenkuil Grenache Noir 2015
Approximate retail price: R120
Very expressive nose with notes of red and black fruit, flowers, a hint of earth and gentle spice. The palate shows great fruit delineation, bright acidity and fine tannins – has a real effortlessness about it.

#WinemagRating: 93/100.

Leeuwenkuil Heritage Syrah 2013
Approximate retail price: R275
Black fruit, olives, pepper and spice plus a slight malty quality on the nose. Super-intense on the palate but perhaps not as fresh as it could be as well as being quite drying on the finish, this possibly due to 100% whole-bunch fermentation. A very particular style.

#WinemagRating: 91/100.