Cape Collective Wrapper Series

Cape Collective is an online marketplace devised by wine marketer Dane Raath and designer Janneman Solms to support small wine businesses. The Wrapper Series, a low-cost solution to labeling, is a collection of imaginative yet well-priced wines. Tasting notes and ratings as follows:

Cape Collective Riesling 2018
Price: R150
Made by Lucinda Heyns of Illimis Wines. Grapes from Darling, fermented and matured for six months in older oak. Citrus, green apple and a touch of apricot and a hint of petrol on the nose while the palate is surprisingly rich and thick textured for a wine with an alcohol of just 11.5%. Bright acidity lends balance and the finish is nicely savoury. Characterful rather than refined.

CE’s rating: 90/100.

Cape Collective Epic White 2018
Price: R100
Again from Heyns of Illimis. From Elgin Chenin Blanc, fermented and matured for eight months in older oak. Aromatics of naartjie, peach and melon plus hints of vanilla and spice. The palate is broad with moderate acidity and a gently savoury finish.

CE’s rating: 90/100.

Cape Collective Ayé Ayé Rosé 2020
Price: R120
Made by Gunther Schultz of Baleia Wines. 67% Pinot Noir and 33% Chardonnay. Rose gold in colour. Notes of potpourri, pear and red apple on the nose while the palate shows pure fruit, bright acidity and a savoury finish – good clean drinking.

CE’s rating: 88/100.

Cape Collective Rad Red Wine 2018
Price: R100
Made by Heyns of Illimis. From Darling Cinsault, winemaking involved both carbonic and whole-bunch fermentation before maturation in older oak lasting six months. Pale red in colour, the rim slightly orange. Floral perfume and red cherry on the nose, the palate extremely light and fresh, a slight meaty quality to the finish (alcohol: 11.5%).

CE’s rating: 89/100.

Cape Collective Capitán 2019
Price: R200
Made by Schultz of Baleia. 88% Pinot Noir, smaller parts Temparanillo and Syrah. Matured for 12 months in foudre. An appealing nose of cherry, musk, fynbos and spice. The palate is lighter and fresher than the alcohol of 14.5% would suggest although this is not to say the wine is underdone. With good fruit purity, bright acidity and nicely grippy tannins, this is a tasty drop.

CE’s rating: 90/100.

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