Great Heart current releases

Established in 2020, Great Heart Wines is a brand entirely owned and run by the employees of both the Mullineux and Leeu Passant wineries, Gynore Hendricks, a graduate of the Cape Winemaker’s Guild Protégé Program heading up winemaking. Tasting notes and ratings for the current releases as follows:

Chenin Blanc 2020
Price: R136
Originally reviewed in April 2021 where it rated 91/100, this is still drinking well.

Chardonnay 2022
Price: R305
Grapes from Polkadraai Hills. Matured for six months in older 500-litre barrels. Peach, citrus and some appealing nuttiness on the nose while the palate has well-defined fruit, racy acidity and a nicely dry finish. Linear and elegant, alcohol is 13.5%.

CE’s rating: 90/100.

Red Blend 2020
Price: R136
Grapes from Swartland. 82% Cabernet Sauvignon and 12% Syrah. 50% whole-bunch fermented before maturation lasting 18 months in older oak. Plums, cassis, undergrowth, earth and spice on the nose while the palate is medium bodied with pliable tannins. Full of flavour, this has a rustic appeal about it. Alc: 14%.

CE’s rating: 91/100.

Pinot Noir 2022
Price: R305
Grapes from Elgin. Whole-bunch fermented before six months of maturation in older 500-litre barrels. The nose shows cranberry and strawberry as well as rose and crushed herbs while the palate has great generosity of fruit, zippy acidity and granular tannins – alcohol is 14.66% and the wine is none too slight.

CE’s rating: 90/100.

Cabernet Sauvignon 2020
Price: R305
Grapes from Helderberg. Matured for 11 months in 225- and 500-litre barrels, 10% new. Attractive aromatics of red and black berries, floral perfume, fresh herbs and hint of pencil shavings, The palate is medium bodied with pure fruit, lively acidity and fine tannins. Clean and focused. Alc: 14%.

CE’s rating: 92/100.

Cabernet Franc 2021
Price: R305
Grapes from Franschhoek. Matured for 11 months in 225- and 500-litre barrels. Overtly perfumed with notes of rose, red and black berries plus fresh herbs. The palate appears quite light but fruit definition is excellent and the wine has a lovely tension about it – pure fruit and bright acidity, the oak well managed. Alc: 14%.

CE’s rating: 94/100.

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