Catherine Marshall new releases

Catherine Marshall started making wines when she held a foot-stomping party on Muizenberg beach in 1996, her endeavour initially called Barefoot Wines as a result. Since 2018, she has occupied the Polkadraai Hills cellar that was previously home to Amani. Her current portfolio amounts to no less than 12 different wines across three different ranges, the following I felt were the pick of the bunch based on a recent tasting:

Catherine Marshall Range
Sauvignon Blanc 2023
Price: R170
Grapes from Elgin and Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge. Apple, peach, blackcurrant and fynbos on the nose. The palate has good fruit weight, well integrated acidity and a gently savoury finish. Balanced and satisfying. Alc: 14%.

CE’s rating: 93/100.

Sandstone Soils Pinot Noir 2023
Price: R280
From Elgin grapes. Matured for nine to 12 months in older oak. Red cherry, raspberry, flowers and heron the nose. The palate is excitingly “nervy” – light and delicate with racy acidity and a super-dry finish. Alc: 13.04%.

CE’s rating: 93/100.

Clay Soils Pinot Noir 2023
Price: R315
Grapes from Elgin and Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge. Fermented and matured for 11 months in oak barrels, partially new. The nose shows red and black berries, earth and spice.  Medium bodied with fresh acidity and nicely grippy tannins. This has a generosity about it – intensely flavoured but not weighty. Alc: 13.5%.

CE’s rating: 93/100.

Fine Art Collection
Chenin Blanc Fermented in Clay 2023
Price: R370
Grapes predominantly from Elgin but also including a small portion from Bottelary. Fermented in clay amphorae. As for maturation, this lasted 11 months, some of the wine transferred to older barrels.  The nose shows a top note of floral perfume before citrus and peach plus a slight earthiness. The palate is detailed and delicate – pure fruit, zippy acidity and pithy finish. Alc: 13.5%.

CE’s rating: 93/100.

Finite Elements Pinot Noir 2023
Price: R965
Grapes from Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge. Matured for 11 months in 300-litre barrels, 50% new. Subtle and complex aromatics with notes of cranberry, wild strawberry, mushroom and cured meat. The palate has excellent structure – medium bodied and upright, pure fruit matched by bright acidity, the tannins firm and chalky. Alc: 13%.

CE’s rating: 95/100.

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