Mont Blois Hoog en Laag Chardonnay 2017
By Christian Eedes, 2 August 2018
3
Ernst and Nina-Mari Bruwer of Mont Blois farm some 300ha of vineyard in Robertson affording Nina-Mari, CWM and qualified winemaker, the opportunity to make a range of relatively small-volume, top-end wines. 2017 is the second vintage of these wines, which she relates was dry and hot compelling her to pick slightly earlier than she did in 2016. Tasting notes and ratings as follows:
Mont Blois Grenache Blanc 2017
Price: R250
New wine from vineyards planted in 2014. Fermented and matured for one month in older oak. Very primary on the nose with notes of pear, white peach and a straw-like character on the nose. The palate displays clean, pure fruit and bright acidity – entirely likeable but perhaps a bit short on the finish.
Editor’s rating: 88/100.
Mont Blois Kweekkamp Chardonnay 2017
Price: R295
From vineyards planted on limestone. A pretty nose with a top note of white flowers before lime, lemon and even a little grapefruit. The palate is light and lean in the best sense – clean fruit, racy acidity and a long, pithy finish. Alcohol: 13%.
Editor’s rating: 90/100.
Mont Blois Hoog en Laag Chardonnay 2017
Price: R295
From vineyards planted on clay. Lemon and stone fruit plus a slight yeasty quality on the nose. The palate is richer and broader than that of its counterpart above yet the acidity is still snappy and the wine comes nicely to a point. Alcohol: 13.8%.
Editor’s rating: 91/100.
Mont Blois Groot Steen Chenin Blanc 2017
From a 31-year-old vineyard. An enticing nose with a top note of hay before guava, citrus and white peach. Appears relatively light despite an alcohol of 14% – has a sweet ‘n sour character before a nicely savoury finish. More understated than the excellent 2016 vintage (see here).
Editor’s rating: 90/100.
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mark | 2 August 2018
Seems the price far outweigh the quality ??
Le Penseur | 2 August 2018
Prescient Chardonnay Report 2017:
92 Delaire Graff Terraced Block Reserve 2015 Price: R650
91 Bartinney Hourglass 2016 Price: R620
90 DeMorgenzon Reserve 2016 Price: R350
90 Hamilton Russell Vineyards 2016 Price: R395
90 Lanzerac Limited Release Mrs English 2016 Price: R450
90 Rustenberg Five Soldiers 2015 Price: R400
89 Creation The Art of Chardonnay 2016 Price: R893
89 Capenisis 2015 Price: R900
87 Haskell Anvil 2016 Price: R350
Burgundy:
91 Joseph Drouhin, Puligny-Montrachet 1er Clos De La Garenne 2015 R1,205
91 Heritiers Du Comte Lafon, Macon Clos De La Crochette Magnum 2014 R1,055
90 Heritiers Du Comte Lafon, Macon Clos De La Crochette Magnum 2015 R1,000
90 Henri Boillot, Meursault 2014 R855
88 Joseph Drouhin, Meursault 2014 R780
Enough said.
Seems the price does not outweigh the quality.
Christian Eedes | 2 August 2018
Hi Mark, Two points re the quality to price ratio of these wines: 1) A 90-plus rating is no mean achievement; and 2) These wines are very much of their place – wines intended to reflect particular vineyards and then the effects of a particular vintage – the Bruwers are serious about this project and they should be allowed some time to establish themselves.