Gabriel & Gysbert new releases
By Christian Eedes, 16 January 2024
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Pieter Rossouw has made wine around the world but is currently a sales representative at Porex, supplier of winemaking equipment and biotechnology products. His family, however, farms with dairy, apricots, pomegranates and vineyards on a property at the foot of the Stormsvlei mountain range, between Bonnievale and Swellendam and he recently decided to make some wine part-time.
The Gabriel & Gysbert label honours his grandfathers, the designs on the labels inspired by a quilt his mother made for him as a child. The maiden vintage Ijsland Charonnay 2021 rated 91 in the Prescient Report 2022 and the 2022 vintage is now out along with a Chenin Blanc and a Cabernet Sauvignon. Tasting notes and ratings as follows:
Ijsland Chardonnay 2022
Price: R250
Spontaneously fermented and matured for 12 months in older oak. Some flinty reduction before lemon and a slight buttery note on the nose. The palate has good concentration and depth of flavour to go with big acidity and a dry finish. A rather striking wine. Alc: 13.48%.
CE’s rating: 91/100.
Welville Old Vine Chenin Blanc 2022
Price: R250
From two vineyards planted in 1992. Matured for 12 months in older oak. Exotic aromatics of peach, apricot, orange and pineapple plus a hint of leesy “funk” and spice. The palate is full bodied and well weighted with tangy acidity – pleasing enough but perhaps a little short of detail. Alc: 13.33%.
CE’s rating: 89/100.
Kwartskop Cabernet Sauvignon 2022
Price: R250
Matured for 15 months in two second-fill 225-litre barrels. Red berry, rose and fresh herbs on the nose. The palate is medium bodied with fresh acidity and fine tannins – well balanced and immediately accessible.
CE’s rating: 88/100.
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Kwispedoor | 17 January 2024
I’m interested in how the Welville Old Vine Chenin Blanc 2022 is named. As far as I recall, the OVP only certifies old vine wines that were made from 35+ year-old vines. So how does it work in the industry: are you allowed to use the words “Old Vines” on your label (especially the front one) for any wine as you choose (at three decades old, the vines used for this wine can arguably be considered old) or is there a point at which the Wine & Spirit Board will start to frown upon it?
Christian Eedes | 17 January 2024
Hi Kwispedoor, The term “Old Vines” is not officially binding and can be used quite loosely by producers – Ken Forrester and Raats both have wines that bear the designation without necessarily utilising vineyards 35 years or older. The Certified Heritage seal from OVP is definitive in this regard.
Kwispedoor | 17 January 2024
Thanks, Christian. Yes, I’m aware of the usage outside of the OVP’s parameters, but I’m wondering if the Wine & Spirit Board has some sort of a threshold for that. Otherwise, one would be able to put ‘Old Vine’ on the label if the vineyard is only 18 years old (or three years, for that matter).