Hogan new releases

Jocelyn Hogan Wilson, who released her first wines under her own label in 2014, has steadily earned a reputation for crafting thoughtful, finely tuned wines. With her 2024 releases now reaching the market, she declares herself pleased. “It was super-early and I needed to be on my toes. But the wines generally have low pHs and are really vibrant,” she says. Tasting notes and ratings follow:

The Galvanised Chardonnay 2024
Price: R325

Grapes from Banghoek vineyard planted in 2003. Matured for 10 months in old oak. The nose shows top notes of floral perfume and herbs before citrus plus some subtle leesy character. Pure and poised – clean fruit and crisp acidity before a pithy finish. Alc: 13%.

CE’s rating: 92/100.

Chenin Blanc 2024
Price: R405
Grapes from two Paardeberg vineyards, planted in 1979 and 1987 respectively. Matured for 10 months in old oak. The nose is detailed and expressive, with notes of pear, peach, citrus, floral perfume, herbs and a touch of flinty reduction. The palate is precise and pure, combining vivid fruit and snappy acidity with a savoury, gently bitter finish. Restrained, lean and effortlessly elegant – picking concluded before the end of January, something that appears to have only aided the wine. Alc: 13%.

CE’s rating: 96/100.

Mirror for the Sun Cabernet Franc 2024
Price: R430
Grapes from the lower Helderberg on granitic soils. Matured for nine months in older oak. Alluring aromatics of rose, violet, the merest hint of herbs, red currant, blueberry, fynbos, tea leaf and a touch of pencil shavings. The palate is finely judged – good fruit density without excess, clarity of flavour, bright acidity and powdery tannins. Elegant, poised and precise, it charms with its vibrancy and finesse. Alc: 13.5%.

CE’s rating: 95/100.

Carignan 2024
Price: R325
Grapes from a Wellington vineyard planted in 2004. Red and black berries mingle with wilder nuances of lavender, herbs and even a touch of meatiness. The palate has both big volume and big acidity – ample fruit giving way to a spicy finish. If ever a wine deserved to be called “boisterous,” this is it. Alc: 14%.

CE’s rating: 92/100.

The 2023 vintage of red blend Divergent (R475 a bottle) rated 94 in May last year – see here.

Check out our South African wine ratings database.