Bruwer Vintners new releases

B Vintners is now Bruwer Vinters, the wines made by Gavin Bruwer Slabbert and Bruwer Raats and while this label has previously been a counterpoint to Raats Family Wines in the sense of being widely sourced (previous vintages including Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from Walker Bay), it is now also exclusively Stellenbosch focused. Tasting notes and ratings for the new releases as follows:

Haarlem to Hope 2021
Price: R275
70% Chenin Blanc, 30% Semillon (previously the two Muscats a feature but no longer). Complex and engaging aromatics of pear, peach, lime and lemon plus hay and spice. The palate is light and vibrant – pure fruit, fresh acidity and a saline finish. A wine of tantalizing detail (alcohol: 12.5%).

CE’s rating: 93/100.

Lone Wolf Cinsault 2021
Price: R275
Grapes from a 1953 vineyard on Bellevue, part of a larger Pinotage block. 100% whole-bunch fermentation. Red currant, musk, fynbos and white pepper on the nose. The palate is vivid with great fruit purity and grippy tannins, the finish dry to the point of salty. Its lack of extravagance precisely why it compels (alc: 12.5%). Total production: 1 000 bottles.

CE’s rating: 94/100.

Liberté Pinotage 2020
Price: R340
30% whole-bunch fermentation. A little rubbery reduction before cherry, plum, flowers and some more base notes of earth and spice. The palate is round but not short of freshness, the tannins relatively soft, the finish gently savoury. Has a rustic charm about it.

CE’s rating: 92/100.

Check out our South African wine ratings database.