Cape of Good Hope Laing Groendruif 2023
By Christian Eedes, 25 March 2024
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Grapes for the Groendruif 2023 under the Cape of Good Hope label and part of the Anthonij Rupert Wyne portfolio come from a Semillon planted in 1956 on the late Henk Laing’s Skurfberg farm. 55% of the wine was fermented in stainless steel tank and 45% in older 500-litre barrels, maturation lasting two months.
Delicate and enticing aromatics of hay, herbs, pear, peach, citrus and blackcurrant precede a palate that is pure and precise – clean fruit matched by fresh acidity. The wine contains 15% Sauvignon Blanc while alcohol is just 12.5% so don’t expect anything too weighty. On the contrary, it’s a rather charming drop and great quality relative to price at R210 a bottle.
CE’s rating: 93/100.
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Kwispedoor | 25 March 2024
Yes, this is great value, although it really needs plenty of time before it puts its best foot forward. Where does the 15% Sauvignon come from? It would seem a bit of a shame to dilute this particular terroir with grapes from elsewhere.
Christian Eedes | 25 March 2024
Hi Kwispedoor, The following from winemaker Mark van Buuren: “We take both the Semillon and the Sauvignon Blanc from the Laings. The Semillon is from two separate blocks, and the Sauvignon block is right next to them. The younger of the two blocks of Semillon really took a hammering last year and we had to pick it earlier than we would have liked, so it came in quite lean. The older block looked fantastic, and we could pick it riper. The Sauvignon vineyard (planted in 2002) produces incredible fruit, and it’s amazing to work with. It always add fruit and freshness to the Semillon, and last year it contributed to the weight on the wine.”
Kwispedoor | 25 March 2024
Great, thanks Christian and Mark. Lean Semillon often tends to flesh out with time too, so this wine’s future is interesting.
Ashley Westaway | 25 March 2024
Fantastic wine, which ages really well. We recently tasted the 2015 vintage, next to the Sadie Skurfberg 2015. Whilst it didn’t quite measure up to that truly outstanding wine, it most certainly delivered on its own terms… lovely fruit purity, especially lime and blackcurrent.