City on a Hill new releases

André Bruyns, former assistant winemaker to David and Nadia Sadie, is now vineyard manager at Swartland property Lammershoek (recently under new ownership). He did not release any wines form the 2021 vintage under his City on a Hill label due to difficult trading circumstances but he’s back with a bang with his 2022 new releases. Tasting notes and ratings as follows:

Old Vine Chenin Blanc 2022
Price: R375
Grapes from three vineyards planted between 1968 and 1981, two on granitic and one on iron-rich soils. Pear, peach, citrus, quince and hay on the nose while the palate has a dense core of fruit, vibrant acidity and a savoury finish. Intensely flavoured and already rewarding to drink. Alc: 13.5%.

CE’s rating: 94/100.

Sky 2022
Price: R525
From a Paardeberg vineyard of Chenin Blanc planted in 1998 just under 400m above sea level. A hint of struck-match reduction before blossom, herbs, pear and lime on the nose. The palate is lean and linear with arresting acidity and a pithy finish. Taut and pure. Alc: 12.5%.

CE’s rating: 96/100.

Earth 2022
Price: R525
From a Lammershoek vineyard of Chenin Blanc planted in 1968 on sandstone and quartz. Yellow apple, spice, hay and honeysuckle on the nose while the palate is broad with pleasing texture and moderate acidity – full of flavour, the finish gently savoury. Alc: 13.5%

CE’s rating: 93/100.

Exodus 2022
Price: R375
35% Grenache, 25% Shiraz, the rest equal amounts of Carignan, Cinsault and Tinta Barocca. Varying amounts of whole-bunch fermentation, 40% in total. Cranberry, strawberry, rose, fynbos and white pepper on the nose. The palate shows pure fruit, bright acidity and powdery tannins. Very appealing – juicy upfront while the finish is gently savoury. Not too raw or austere. Alc: 13.5%.

CE’s rating: 94/100.

Songs of Ascents 2022
Price: R525
Grapes from a Cinsault vineyard planted in 1998, a third undergoing whole-bunch fermentation. The nose shows plums, cherry, spice as well as a hint of reduction. Good depth of fruit, fresh acidity and fine tannins. A well balanced wine, none too light with a pleasing roundness about it. Alc: 13%.

CE’s rating: 93/100.

Sk’Windjiesvlei 2022
Price: R525
Tinta Das Baroccas (to quote the back label) from a 1962 vineyard farmed by Adi Badenhorst. 10% whole-bunch fermentation. Complex aromatics of red and black berries, lavender, fynbos, earth and spice while the palate has great structure and harmony about it – lovely fruit expression, bright acidity and fine tannins. Intense but not weighty. Alc: 13.5%.

CE’s rating: 94/100.

Thousand Hills 2022
Price: R525
Grenache from a vineyard planted in 2000 using Massal Selection from Piekenierskloof old vines. 100% whole-bunch fermentation. Cranberry, raspberry, cherry and a hint of earth on the nose. The palate is not insubstantial with dense fruit and bright acidity, tannins lending a chalky texture. Alc: 14%.

CE’s rating: 93/100.

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