Arcangeli maiden releases

Krige Visser of Arcangeli Wines.

Arcangeli is the new name for what was Bot River property Feiteiras Vineyards, longtime wine marketer Krige Visser now trying his hand at winemaking (read more here). The maiden releases are off-centre without being entirely esoteric, tasting notes and ratings for the as follows:

Arcangeli Romulus Nebbiolo 2016
Wine Cellar price: R235
From Breedekloof grapes. A plasticine top note which somehow suits the wine as well as roses, strawberry, red and black cherry plus a little white mushroom. Light-bodied with lemon-like acidity, the tannins quite soft yet the finish still savoury.

Editor’s rating: 88/100.

Arcangeli Feiteras Verdelho 2016
Wine Cellar price: R190
12% skin fermented. Matured for 10 months in older 300-litre barrels. Citrus and green apple plus dried flowers and a little earthiness on the nose. The palate is very together with great texture to go with a cracking line of acidity and a little spice to the finish.

Editor’s rating: 93/100.

Arcangeli Semillon 2016
Price: R150
75% from Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge grapes, 25% from Bot River. 5% skin fermented. Matured for eight months in older 300-litre barrels. A wonderful Fanta Grape-like quality to the nose but also citrus and just a hint of fynbos. The palate is full and juicy – very flavourful with a pithiness to the finish.

Editor’s rating: 92/100.

Arcangeli Merlot Petit Verdot Cabernet Sauvignon 2016
Price: R150
40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot and 25% Petit Verdot. 100% whole-bunch fermented. Red and black fruit plus an attractive herbal quality to the nose. Medium bodied with lovely freshness and very fine tannins. Modest in the best sense – avoids the chunkiness of some many local Bordeaux-style red blends.

Editor’s rating: 88/100.

Arcangeli Syrah Mourvèdre 2016
Price: R150
72% Syrah, 28% Mourvèdre. 100% whole-bunch fermented. Bramble fruits, purple flowers plus earth and a certain feral character. Light bodied yet intensely flavoured with fresh acidity and lovely crunchy tannins, the finish long and savoury.

Editor’s rating: 91/100.

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