Gabriëlskloof new releases

Gabriëlskloof began in 2001 when former coal miner Bernhard Heyns found a former canola farm in Bot Rivera with potential for high-quality wines. Acclaimed winemaker Peter-Allan Finlayson, married to Heyns’ daughter Nicolene, took charge of the cellar in 2014, he and the team working with both own and bought-in grapes.

Noteworthy about the new releases is that the Landscape Series has new labels, these painted by artist Roderick Freemantle using pigments derived from the vineyard soils, while a top-end, 1000-bottle Syrah called Oxalis has also been introduced.

Amphora Sauvignon Blanc 2024
Price: R385
50% own grapes, 50% Olifants River. Spontaneously fermented and matured in clay amphorae. Peach, nectarine and some floral perfume on the nose while the palate is broad with a creamy texture and moderate acidity, the finish gently savoury. Soft, approachable, and quietly confident in its individuality. Alc: 13.5%.

CE’s rating: 91/100.

Wholebunch Syrah 2024
Price: R260
Includes 8% Grenache. Matured in a combination of stainless-steel tank and older barrels. Flinty reduction, pepper, floral perfume and red berries on the nose. The palate is elegant and precise – pure fruit, bright acidity and powdery tannins. Everything that’s good about including stems.

CE’s rating: 93/100.

Era René Chenin Blanc 2024
Price: R440
Grapes from own vineyards. Matured in older oak for nine months. Pear, peach, herbs and earth on the nose. The palate is elegant and understated – not super-concentrated, moderate acidity and a gently savoury, slightly pithy finish. Restrained yet assured. Alc: 13%

CE’s rating: 92/100.

Elodie Chenin Blanc 2024
Price: R440
Grapes from Swartland. Winemaking as above. Pretty aromatics with notes of citrus, flowers and herbs. The palate has good clarity and depth of fruit, plenty of drive, and finishes with a gently bitter edge that adds interest. Well balanced with layers of flavour. Alc: 13%.

CE’s rating: 93/100.

Magdalena 2024
Price: R440
For the first time, this wine is a multi-variety blend rather than a straight Semillon. 39% Sauvignon Blanc, 35% Chenin Blanc, 23% Semillon and 3% Muscat d’Alexandrie sourced from across the Western Cape. Complex and alluring aromatics of flowers, herbs plus white, green and yellow fruit. Loverly purity and punchy acidity, the finish super-dry. Intricate and vital. Alc: 13.5%.

CE’s rating: 96/100.

Oxalis Syrah 2023
Price: R900
NEW. From own grapes. 50% whole-bunch fermentation. The nose shows red and black berries with subtle notes of cured meat and white pepper. On the palate, dense fruit is supported by moderate acidity and fine, tightly knit tannins. Luxurious and mouthfilling, it has weight and presence without being overblown, succulent to start and finishing cleanly dry. Alc: 13.5%.

CE’s rating: 94/100.

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