Eight Gates current releases

Kolja Stürmer and Carlo Suter met while attending the German International School in Cape Town. Stürmer went on to a career in London fund management and now runs a homeware business, while Suter pursued carpentry and winemaking. In 2023, they launched their own wine label, using grapes sourced from across the winelands and Suter’s family farm in the Breedekloof as a base. Their barrels come from artisanal cooperage Mittelberger in northeast Italy – “They’re good people,” says Suter. Tasting notes and ratings for the current releases follow:

Semillon 2023
Price: R260
From Elgin. Unwooded. Pear, soft citrus, yellow apple, a touch of hay and a whiff of leesy complexity on the nose. Medium bodied with unobtrusive acidity a gently savoury finish. Alc: 13.5%.

CE’s rating: 90/100.

Breedekloof Chenin Blanc 2024
Price: R358
Sourced from Botha Kelder, its maturation finished in Mittelberger barrels – made to qualify for Breedekloof Makers status. Honeysuckle, peach and a hint of leesy complexity on the nose. Sweet-fruited and broad with soft but sufficient acidity, the finish savoury. Charming wine

CE’s rating: 92/100.

Tulbagh Chenin Blanc 2024
Price: R358
From a block planted in the early 1980s. Matured for 10 months in barrel, 30% new. Vanilla before citrus, peach, hay and a hint of reduction. Rich and relatively thick textured with fresh acidity and savoury finish. Archetypal old vine Chenin. Alc: 13.5%.

CE’s rating: 91/100.

Cinsault 2024
Price: R358
From own wire assisted bushvines planted around 25 years ago. 50% whole-bunch fermentation. Matured for nine months in a combination of old barrels and 1,500-litre foudre. The nose is expressive with notes of black cherry, violets, a hint of fynbos and spice. Juicy and full with bright acidity and powdery tannins, the finish long and dry. Alc: 13.4%.

CE’s rating: 93/100.

Syrah 2024
Price: R358
Grapes from Polkadraai Hills. 50% whole-bunch fermentation. Red and black berries, rose, lavender, and white pepper on the nose. The palate is light and linear with fresh acidity a powdery tannins – poised and precise. Alc: 12.97%.

CE’s rating: 93/100.

Pinotage 2019
Price: R358
From own grapes. Matured for 24 months in older oak. Cherries, plums, hints of incense and fynbos plus some more evolved meaty, earthy notes. Medium bodied – fruit to the fore, good freshness, the tannins still lightly grippy. Drinking well now. Alc: 14%.

CE’s rating: 90/100.

Reserve 2023
Price: R565
From Stellenbosch. 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 38% Merlot and 22% Cabernet Franc. Pretty aromatics with some floral perfume, crushed leaves, a hint of mint and red berries while the palate is light bodied (despite 14.5% alcohol) with fresh acidity and fine tannins, the finish long and dry. Slightly angular in its structure yet also carries a pleasing vibrancy.

CE’s rating: 91/100.

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