Il Geco Pinot Gris 2023

Clarise Sciocatti-Langeveldt is a local winemaker with Italian roots – her predecessors were silkworm-farmers who settled in Knysna’s forrests during the 1800s. She left Hazendal in 2022 to focus on her own brand, begun in 2014, the range now including a Cap Classique, Pinot Gris and Sangiovese.

It’s the Pinot Gris that’s the pick of the current releases. Grapes from a Stellenbosch vineyard on granite, the wine was spontaneously fermented and matured for 12 months in large-format, old oak barrels.

The nose shows subtle notes of pear, peach and yellow apple plus potpourri and spice while the palate is broad and mellow with moderate acidity – understated and gently flavourful rather than super-intense (alc: 13%). Price: R285 a bottle.

CE’s rating: 91/100.

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