Carinus Family Vineyards Rooidraai Chenin Blanc 2017

Danie and Hugo Carinus (only very distantly related) are grape growers who supply some of the leading producers in the country from vineyards situated in Devon Valley, Polkadraai and the Swartland. Their Rooidraai 2016, as made by Lukas van Loggerenberg, saw them hit the big time and now their 2017s are out. Tasting notes and ratings as follows:

Carinus Chenin Blanc 2017
Approximate retail price: R140
From the Rooidraai vineyard in the Swartland. Matured for nine months in old French oak. Alc 13.5%. Citrus, pear and white peach plus some vague potpourri and talcum powder notes. The palate displays striking fruit purity and great balance, the finish nicely savoury, even a little bitter.

Editor’s rating: 91/100.

Needs time.

Rooidraai 2017
Approximate retail price: R270
From the same vineyard as above. Top notes of hay and fynbos before citrus, peach and apricot – altogether more pronounced than it counterpart above. The palate is marked by concentrated fruit, punchy acidity and a pithy finish. This wine promises much but currently appears very primary and just a little unsettled. Alc 13%.

Editor’s rating: 93/100.

Carinus Syrah 2017
Approximate rating: R140
Grapes from Polkadraai. Whole bunch fermented and matured for nine months in old French oak. Cranberry, raspberry, some fynbos and maybe a hint of pepper on the nose. Again very primary – nice clean fruit and the merest hint of savoury tug on the finish but it remains to be seen if more complexity develops with time in bottle.

Editor’s rating: 88/100.

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