Fryer’s Cove new releases
By Christian Eedes, 3 December 2021
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Vineyards for the far-flung West Coast venture that is Fryer’s Cove were first planted by winemaker Wynand Hamman along with father-in-law Ponk van Zyl and brother-in-law Jan in 1999, and their brave decision was vindicated when the 2005 vintage of the Sauvignon Blanc rated 5 Stars by Wine magazine in that same year.
Last year, producer-wholesaler DGB acquired the operation and Liza Goodwin, previously of Meerendal, was installed as winemaker, the Van Zyls are still involved in tending the vineyards. Fryer’s Cove is a new tier of wines, made from bought-in grapes and sitting between the premium Bamboes Bay wines and the more affordable Doringbay.
Fryer’s Cove Chenin Blanc 2021
Price: R139
62% stainless steel fermented and 38% in older barrels, maturation lasting four months. A little reduction before peach, nectarine, melon and some vanilla on the nose while the palate is medium bodied with a nice roundness and well-integrated acidity.
CE’s rating: 89/100.
Fryer’s Cove Grenache Cinsault 2021
Price: R149
90% Grenache and 10% Cinsault, all unoaked. Very expressive aromatics with a hint of flinty reduction preceding cherry, raspberry, musk and fynbos while the palate has good depth of fruit, bright acidity and powdery tannins. Lovely texture and balance.
CE’s rating: 94/100.
Fryer’s Cove Sauvignon Blanc 2021 (R139 per bottle) rated 91 points in the Prescient Sauvignon Blanc Report 2021 earlier this year.
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Abi Mitton | 3 December 2021
Hello Kwispedoor,
We have launched a new range within the Fryer’s Cove portfolio which is Wine of Origin Cape West Coast. The Sauvignon Blanc in this range is indeed R139 and was rated 91 points in the Prescient report.
The Bamboes Bay Sauvignon Blanc is a different wine, the 2020 being current release with a price of R285 but nearly sold out.
Kwispedoor | 3 December 2021
Thanks, Abi
I’ve seen the Bamboes Bay at over R300 from several outlets, so I didn’t make that connection initially. I only have some old Bamboes Bay in my cellar (they tend to mature really well).
From where are the grapes for the Cape West Coast Sauvignon? Looking at the back label, it alludes to own vineyards, or at least vineyards in roughly the same area (I say roughly, because of course there’s not much else right there where Fryer’s Cove’s vineyards are).
Abi Mitton | 3 December 2021
Hello again Kwispedoor,
Yes the Bamboes Bay Sauvignon Blanc ages superbly well – glad to hear you agree!
You are correct, there is very little planted in Bamboes Bay which makes it very limited, so we have sourced some excellent grapes from a vineyard further down the coastline for the Cape West Coast Sauvignon Blanc within about 40km of the cellar. As Christian said ref Grenache, we are not inclined to disclose any more than that!
Kwispedoor | 3 December 2021
Hi, Christian
You write here that the Sauvignon goes for R139 per bottle, but the Prescient Report listed it at R285. Was the latter an error or did DGB have a change of heart on where to pitch these wines in the marketplace?
One might assume that the Grenache grapes are from the Piekenierskloof, but could you confirm where it came from, please?
Christian Eedes | 3 December 2021
Hi Kwispedoor, The pricing discrepancy was simple human error – it is R139 a bottle. As for the origin of the Grenache, it is from a Darling vineyard, winemaker Liza Goodwin not inclined to go into more detail than that!