Beeslaar new releases

By , 16 January 2024

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3

Nothing lasts forever. Yesterday came the news that Abrie Beeslaar will be leaving leading Stellenbosch property Kanonkop after joining in February 2002 and serving as only its third winemaker ever from 2003 onwards.

Beeslaar will now be concentrating on his own-label wines, tasting notes and ratings for the new releases as follows:

Beeslaar Chardonnay 2022
Price: R395
65% of grapes from Barrydale, 35% from Banghoek. Matured for 12 months in 225-litre barrels, 20% new. The nose is generally shy although subtle notes of blossom, lemon and vanilla can be detected. The palate is pure and fresh with a pithy, nicely dry finish. Good fruit density and well balanced – technically correct as you’d expect from this winemaker. Alc: 13.05%.

CE’s rating: 90/100.

Beeslaar Pinotage 2022
Price: R660
Matured for 20 months in 225-litre barrels, 50% new. Plum, black cherry, vanilla and spice on the nose. The palate is sweet and rich, although bright acidity lends balance, the tannins rather chewy at this stage. Luscious upfront but ends dry.

CE’s rating: 93/100.

Check out our South African wine ratings database.

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3 comment(s)

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    PK | 16 January 2024

    Got it. Thank you, Christian!

    PK | 16 January 2024

    Christian,

    To sometimes better understand the taster and get a good feel for the wine after reading the tasting note, can you say where did the Chardonnay fall short in your opinion or what lacked in order to get that 93-95 score?

      Christian Eedes | 16 January 2024

      Hi PK, It’s a perfectly respectable wine but I don’t believe it has either the presence of something like Delaire Graff Terraced Block Reserve or the refinement of Restless River.

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