Hasher Family Wines maiden releases

Céline Haspeslagh and Frederik Herten of Belgium acquired Upper Hemel-en-Aarde Valley property Sumaridge last year and have renamed it Hasher Family Estate (Haspeslagh comes from a family with significant interests in the agricultural sector and her uncle Xavier is a co-investor).

Plantings of vineyard have been reduced from 35ha to 19ha and the focus will be predominantly on Chardonnay and Pinot Noir going forwards – viticulturist Dean Leppan has come across from near-by Newton Johnson Vineyards and Walter Pretorius stays on as winemaker.

Tasting notes and ratings for the maiden releases as follows:

Fat Lady Sauvignon Blanc 2021
Price: R145
30% barrel fermented and matured for six months in older oak. Citrus and a hint of blackcurrant on the nose while the palate is rich and round with well-integrated acidity – not nearly as obtrusive as some of examples of this variety can be.

CE’s rating: 90/100.

Marimist Chardonnay 2020
Price: R380
85% fermented and matured for nine months in 228-litre barrels, 20% new. Citrus and yellow peach plus overt oak and spice on the nose. Surprisingly full given an alcohol of just 12.5% – plenty of flavour but somewhat unknit now.

CE’s rating: 91/100.

Ernest Pinot Noir 2021
Price: R450
35% underwent spontaneous fermentation. Matured for 11 months in 228-litre barrels, a third new. Appealing aromatics of red currant, cherry, musk, tea leaf and white pepper. The palate is medium bodied with pure fruit, fresh acidity and fine tannins. Good detail, the finish possessing a pleasant salty quality.

CE’s rating: 93/100.

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