Boekenhoutskloof new releases

By , 24 October 2019

Top winemaker gets to work with prime vineyards in a great vintage and the results should be good. Tasting notes ad ratings for the soon-to-be-released Boekenhoutskloof 2017s as made by Gottfried Mocke from sites located predominantly in Franschhoek but also including Stellenbosch and Swartland as follows:

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Boekenhoutskloof Semillon 2017
Grapes from three different Semillon vineyards, planted in 1902, 1936 and 1942 respectively, plus 2% Muscat d’Alexandrie from a 1902 vineyard. One-third of the Semillon fermented and matured for 14 months in concrete egg, two thirds in new barrique; the Muscat in amphorae. An immensely complex nose with a floral top note before citrus and peach plus some bread-like character, a little waxiness and spice. The palate is relatively lean and fresh (alcohol: 13.8%) while also managing to be gently grippy on the finish. This has a terrific tension about it and should age with benefit.

Editor’s rating: 96/100.

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Boekenhoutskloof Franschhoek Cabernet Sauvignon 2017
Includes 10% Cabernet Franc. Matured for 18 months in French oak, 85% new. A violet top note before cassis and ripe plum on the nose. The palate is medium bodied and yet quite broad with soft, smooth tannins, the finish gently savoury.

Editor’s rating: 92/100.

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Boekenhoutskloof Stellenbosch Cabernet Sauvignon 2017
Grapes from four Helderberg vineyards. Includes some 6% Cabernet Franc. Matured for 18 months in French oak, 60% new. The nose shows red and black fruit, an attractive herbal note plus hints of vanilla and spice. The palate shows great focus – pure fruit, fresh acidity and firm but fine tannins. Wonderfully long and dry on the finish, this is really elegant.

Editor’s rating: 95/100.

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Boekenhoutskloof The Journeyman 2017
50% Cabernet Franc, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon and 25% Merlot from own vineyards in Franschhoek. Matured for 18 months in French oak, 100% new. A very pretty nose with notes of red fruit, rose and violets, dried herbs and a hint of spice. The palate is medium bodied with a lovely gentle acidity, this being soft but sufficient, the tannins very fine. This is a wonderfully well balanced, elegant wine.

Editor’s rating: 94/100.

Boekenhoutskloof Syrah 2017
From Swartland grapes, 70% from Porseleinberg and 30% from Goldmine. 40% whole-bunch fermentation before 18 months of maturation in foudre. Some smoky reduction before red and black fruit, some musk and white pepper on the nose while the palate displays very good fruit concentration, a refreshing line of acidity and fine tannins, the finish gently savoury. Polished but not too much so.

Editor’s rating: 94/100.

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Boekenhoutskloof Noble Late Harvest 2016
Picked in late May involving several passes through the vineyard to ensure 100% botrytis. Matured for 30 months in 100% new oak. The nose is initially quite perfumed with notes of potpourri and dried herbs before revealing dried pear and peach through to mushroom. The palate is subtle and understated – smooth textured but not weighty, the fruit is surprisingly pure and intact, the acidity quite moderate.

Editor’s rating: 95/100.

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