Angus Paul new releases

Locally born but raised in Scotland, Angus Paul started his own label in 2020, working out of the Karibib Wine Craft cellar in Stellenbosch, his focus on the “quasi-indigenous” varieties of Chenin Blanc and Pinotage plus Cinsault. Tasting notes and ratings for the soon-to-be released 2023s below:

On a Flight of Furious Fancies Chenin Blanc 2023
Price: R350
Grapes from a Polkadraai Hills vineyard planted in 1988 on granite. Pear, peach, herbs and a touch of flinty reduction on the nose. The palate is linear and full of nervous energy, the palate pithy in texture and saline in flavour. Alc: 12.5%.

CE’s rating: 93/100.

Fantamtango Chenin Blanc 2023
Pricfe: R350
NEW. Grapes from an Upper Blaauwklippen vineyard. Peach, nectarine and a hint of pineapple on the nose. Slightly richer and rounder than its counterpart above but hardly overblown, the finishing possessing a pleasant bitterness. Alc: 12.6%.

CE’s rating: 93/100.

Barbary Fictions Chenin Blanc 2023
Price: R350
Grapes from Bottelary vineyard planted in 1972. Lanolin, peach, citrus and fynbos on the nose. Good weight and texture – plenty of side palate, well integrated acidity and a gently savoury finish. The most substantial of Paul’s three wines in this vintage – alcohol is 12.9%.

CE’s rating: 92/100.

Diapsalmata Cinsault 2023
Price: R350
Grapes from a vineyard in the Firgrove part of Stellenbosch planted in 1966. 100% whole-bunch fermented. Enticing aromatics of cranberry, red cherry, fynbos and rose. The palate is poised and intricate. Pure fruit, snappy acidity and super-dry finish that leaves a saline impression. Alc: 12.5%.

CE’s rating: 93/100.

Transient Lands Pinotage 2023
Price: R300
Grapes sourced from Stanford, Stellenbosch and Swartland. Whole-bunch fermentation now sub-10% and a small portion (8%) matured in new oak to add “extra roundness”. Cherries, plums and a hint of floral perfume on the nose. The palate appears sweet and dense with bright acidity and a bitter finish. A wine that still seems a little stylistically unresolved but certainly not without appeal. Alc: 13.53%.

CE’s rating: 90/100.

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