Fram current releases

Thinus Krüger left formal employment at Boschendal in November 2012 to set up his own label called Fram after the famous Norwegian ship of polar exploration and he continues to make wines that are terrifically authentic without costing a bomb. Tasting notes and ratings for the current range:

Fram Chardonnay 2022
Price: R120
Unwooded Chardonnay from Robertson. Includes 10% barrel fermented Chenin Blanc. Orchard blossom and citrus on the nose while the palate shows clean fruit and bright acidity – uncomplicated and accessible.

CE’s rating: 88/100.

Fram Chenin Blanc 2020
Price: R255
Grapes from Citrusdal Mountain vineyard planted in 1987. Matured for 11 months in 3 000-litre foudre. White peach and some wet-wool like complexity on the nose while the palate is light with bright acidity and a savoury finish. Has a pleasing modesty about it.

CE’s rating: 90/100.

Fram Dry White NV
Price: R160
Grapes from Citrusdal Mountain from a mixed vineyard consisting of Palomino and “friends”, this releases consisting of 10% of the 2018 vintage, 30% of 2019 and 60% of 2020.  Oxidative in style with no overt aromatics although perhaps some white peach and fennel in evidence. The palate has great texture – broad but not heavy or greasy. A subtle wine that’s not bursting with fruit but has a restrained freshness about it.

CE’s rating: 93/100.

Fram Grenache Gris 2021
Price: R170
W.O. Voor Paardeberg. 14 days of skin contact. Cranberry, strawberry and spice on the nose while the palate has good fruit concentration and bright acidity, some light phenolic grip to the finish. More “light red” than rosé, this has a nice piquancy about it.

CE’s rating: 91/100.

Fram Cinsault 2021
Price: R185
Grapes from Citrusdal Mountain. Unoaked. Dark cherry, blackberry and fynbos on the nose while the palate has a dense core of fruit, bright acidity and crunchy tannins. Good vinosity and weight thanks to 13.6% alcohol.

CE’s rating: 91/100.

Fram Shiraz 2020
Price: R155
Grapes from Kasteelberg, Swartland. Includes 5% Grenache and 5% Mourvèdre. 15% stems added back. The nose is shy with subtle notes of dark berries, black olive, lavender, fynbos and pepper while the palate is tightly wound with good freshness and grippy tannins, the finish long and deeply savoury. Quite stern now, this will benefit from 12 months in bottle.

CE’s rating: 91/100.

Fram Pinotage 2017
Price: R295
Grapes from a Citrusdal Mountain vineyard planted in 1981. 50% new oak. Cranberry, plum, dark cherry plus subtle notes of fresh herbs and fynbos on the nose while the palate shows extraordinary fruit concentration, pleasantly sour acidity and firm but not astringent tannins, the finish long and savoury.

CE’s rating: 93/100.

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