Carinus new releases

Swartland vs Stellenbosch. Van Loggerenberg vs Alheit. The two examples of Chenin Blanc that are Rooidraai and Polkadraai Heuwels from growers Danie and Hugo Carinus provide a fascinating study in both terroir and winemaking aesthetics. The standard-label Chenin Blanc and Syrah, meanwhile, deliver great quality relative to price. Tasting notes and ratings for the new releases as follows:

Carinus Family Vineyards Chenin Blanc 2021
Price: R180
Grapes from a lesser section of the same Swartland vineyard that produces the Rooidraai bottling. Attractive aromatics of pear, peach and fynbos plus some flinty reduction while the palate is light and fresh – an easy style that perhaps doesn’t have quite the concentration of previous vintages.

CE’s rating: 89/100.

Carinus Family Vineyards Syrah 2021
Price: R180
Grapes from a 1992 Polkadraai vineyard on sandy soils. 40% stems added back at fermentation. Appealing aromatics of red and black berries, floral perfume, white pepper plus a smoky note. The palate shows good clarity of fruit, bright acidity and crunchy tannins.

CE’s rating: 92/100.

Carinus Rooidraai Chenin Blanc 2021
Price: R365
Matured in older oak. Beguiling aromatics of thatch, pear, white peach, dried herbs and some flinty reduction while the palate is elegant and understated – excellent fruit definition and quite racy acidity before a saline finish. This is light-bodied, poised and exquisitely subtle.

CE’s rating: 96/100.

Carinus Polkadraai Heuwels Chenin Blanc 2021
Price: R365
75% matured in concrete, 25% in older oak. Expressive aromatics of blossom, peach, naartjie, spice and some leesy character while the palate shows great fruit concentration matched by punchy acidity, the finish long and savoury. Slightly more weight and grippy texture than its counterpart above and full of flavour.

CE’s rating: 96/100.

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