Arendsig new releases

After finishing High School in Robertson, Lourens van der Westhuizen enrolled at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology to study Agriculture. The course included a year and a half of studies at Elsenburg Agricultural College in Stellenbosch, and it was here that his interest in wine was aroused. In 2004, he returned to the family farm outside Bonnievale with a view to establishing the Arendsig brand, today producing some 13 000 cases of own-label wine. Tasting notes and ratings for the new releases as follows:

Sauvignon Blanc Blok A10 2022
Price: R150
Matured for 10 months in concrete oval. Floral perfume, lime, white peach and just a hint of fresh herbs on the nose. Lovely fruit purity, driving acidity and a pithy finish – well balanced and tightly wound. Alc: 12.5%.

CE’s rating: 93/100.

Chardonnay Block A15 2022
Price: R225
Matured for 12 months in concrete oval, 10% foudre and 10% new 500-litre barrel. Attractive aromatics of flowers, pear and lemon while the palate is sweet and juicy with moderate acidity.

CE’s rating: 89/100.

Colombard 2021
Price: R225
Grapes from a block planted in 1987. Matured for 10 months in concrete oval. Lime, green apple, herbs and some leesy complexity on the nose. The palate has good concentration and bright acidity – not without body even though alcohol is a low 12.4% and nicely dry on the finish.

CE’s rating: 91/100.

Inspirational Batch 3 Chenin Blanc 2021
Price: R225
Matured for 10 months, 50% in old barrels and 50% in foudre. Exotic aromatics of stone fruit, melon, honey, bee’s wax and spice. The palate is rich and round with juicy fruit and tangy acidity. Alc: 14.21%

CE’s rating: 90/100.

Pinotage A19 2022
Price: R225
NEW. From a block of own fruit planted in 2014. Matured for 10 months, 90% in foudre and 10% in new 500-litre barrel. Red cherry, raspberry, strawberry, Turkish Delight and spice on the nose while the palate is round and juicy – with pure fruit, bright acidity and powdery tannins, this is really nicely judged. Alc: 12.8%.

CE’s rating: 93/100.

Shiraz A12 2022
Price: R225
Matured for 10 months, 90% in foudre and 10% in new 500-litre barrel. Very primary on the nose with notes of red cherry, rose and white pepper while the palate is juicy and fresh with fine tannins. Its appeal lies in its modesty. Alc: 13.6%.

CE’s rating: 89/100.

Cabernet Sauvignon Block A9 2021
Price: R225
Matured for 14 months, 80% in foudre and 20% in new 500-litre barrel. Blue and black berries, mint, some leafiness and spice. The palate shows nice restraint – juicy fruit, fresh acidity and fine-grained tannins. Charmingly understated. Alc: 12.84%.

CE’s rating: 90/100.

Inspirational Batch 10 Merlot 2021
Price: R225
Matured for 10 months in foudre and older oak. Red and black berries, fresh herbs and chocolate on the nose. The palate is full-bodied with slightly hard acidity and firm tannins – sound enough but a bit ordinary. Alc: 14.29%.

CE’s rating: 88/100.

Check out our South African wine ratings database.