Illimis new releases

Lucinda Heyns quit formal employment at research body Winetech at the end of April to concentrate fulltime on making wine under her Illimis wine label – total production went up from just under 10 000 bottles in 2022 to 30 000 bottles this year. Tasting notes and ratings for the new releases as follows:

Chenin Blanc 2022
Price: R275
50% Elgin and 50% Stellenbosch. Matured for six months in old oak. Pretty aromatics with notes of blossom, pear, peach and yellow apple while the palate shows pure fruit, bright acidity and a pithy finish. Clean and direct, well balanced and understated – alcohol 13.5%.

CE’s rating: 91/100.

Cinsault 2022
Price: R220
W.O. Darling. 90% whole-bunch. Matured six months. Raspberry, strawberry plus hints of herbs and white pepper on the nose. Light bodied but not too skeletal or short on flavour – alcohol is 12%. Nice interplay between fruit, bright acidity and powdery tannins.

CE’s rating: 92/100.

Grenache Noir 2022
Price: R250

W.O. Wellington. 70% whole-bunch. Matured for six months in old oak. Pale pink in colour. Red cherry, strawberry, tea leaf and spice on the nose. The palate is super-delicate and refined – very light in body with fresh acidity and chalky tannins, the finish possessing a subtle salty quality.

CE’s rating: 91/100.

Pinotage 2022
Price: R250
She’s done it again – a brilliant new-wave example of the variety (see review of 2021 here)! Grapes from a Polkadraai Hills vineyard planted in 1997, winemaking involved 100% whole-bunch fermentation before maturation lasting seven months in older oak. Attractive aromatics of red berries, fynbos and flowers while the palate is light and pure with great vibrancy and a salty finish. Succulent with lemon-like acidity and fine tannins.

CE’s rating: 95/100.

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