Gabriëlskloof The Landscape Series new releases

Bot River property Gabriëlskloof was established by former coal miner Bernhard Heyns in 2002. Peter-Allan Finlayson of Crystallum married Heyn’s daughter Nicolene in 2012 and joined as winemaker in 2014, the Gabriëlskloof cellar subsequently becoming a “bit of a co-operative” with various producers using the facilities, current cohabitants being Thorne & Daughters and Van Niekerk Vintners.

The Landscape Series is the top-end offering from Gabriëlskloof, some of these wines made from own fruit but others from old vines elsewhere in the winelands, where deemed appropriate. Tasting notes and ratings for the new releases as follows:

Magdalena Semillon 2023
Price: R420
42% Swartland, 30% Franschhoek and 28% own fruit. Peach, soft citrus, hay and the merest hint of white pepper on the nose. The palate is rich and round with a creamy texture, well integrated acidity and a gently savoury finish. Alc: 13.4%.

CE’s rating: 92/100.

Elodie Chenin Blanc 2023
Price: R420
W.O. Swartland – grapes from two vineyards, the first in Malmesbury on iron and the second in Paardeberg on granite. The nose is generally shy – hints of peach, soft citrus, honey, earth and some leesy character while the palate is rich and pleasantly thick-textured with moderate acidity – not the same drive as 2022.

CE’s rating: 92/100.

Era René Chenin Blanc 2023
Price: R420
NEW. W.O. Bot River – one vineyard grafted over from Semillon on rootstock planted in 2004 and another bushvine vineyard planted in 2018. The nose shows peach, yellow apple, hay, vanilla and spice. The palate has a creamy texture with a slight sweet ‘n sour character, the finish gently savoury. A comforting sort of wine.

CE’s rating: 93/100.

Cabernet Franc 2022
Price: R520
Own fruit. Red berries, rose and dried herbs on the nose while the palate is medium bodied with pure fruit, fresh acidity and powdery tannins. Elegant and precise. Alc: 13.5%.

CE’s rating: 93/100.

Check out our South African wine ratings database.