Daschbosch current releases

Of the 3 000ha that Breedekloof operation Daschbosch tends, only some 60ha make the threshold of being 35 years or older which would qualify them for heritage certification by the Old Vine Project, and of those, only 5ha have to date been pressed into service to make actual wine. These, however, are shaping as well worth seeking out. Tasting notes and ratings for the new releases as follows:

Daschbosch Avon Clairette Blanche 2021
Price: R220
Grapes from a 1977 vineyard. Matured for eight months in older 300-litre barrels. Aromatics are subtle and elusive – notes of pear, peach, apple, a little waxiness and spice. The palate is more about texture than any overt flavour – not too greasy with moderate acidity and a gently savoury finish. Lots of fine detail.

CE’s rating: 93/100.

Daschbosch Gevonden Hanepoot 2017
Not yet released.
Grapes  from supposedly the oldest vineyard in South Africa, thought to have been planted in 1883, although its OVP certification refers to 1900 as official records weren’t kept before that. Partial fermentation before fortification, maturation then taking place in barrel. A waxy top note before confit lemon, naartjie and spice on the nose while the palate has huge concentration matched by a good line of acidity. It’s beautifully balanced – thick texture but too unctuous, the finish long and intensely savoury.

CE’s rating: 94/100.

The Daschbosch Mossiesdrift Steen 2021 (from a 1962 vineyard) rated 91 points in the Prescient Chenin Blanc Report earlier in the year.

Check out our South African wine ratings database.