Illimis new releases

Lucinda Heyns, who previously worked as a viticulturist at both Jordan and Mulderbosch, started making her own wines first under the Eendevanger label, and since 2015, under the Illimis label. Tasting notes and ratings for the current-release 2016s as follows:

Illimis Cinsault 2016
Price: R180
Alc: 12%. Grapes from a Darling vineyard planted in 1972. 100% carbonic maceration before maturation lasting six months in old oak. Red cherry and fresh herbs plus candy floss and some earth with time in glass. Pleasantly lean with good freshness (although TA only 4g/l) and fine tannins, the finish possessing a salty quality.

Editor’s rating: 90/100.

Seeking clarity.

Illimis Chenin Blanc 2016
Price: R245
Alc: 14.5%. W.O. Elgin. Fermented and matured for nine months in old barrel. Some intriguing reduction before lemon and white peach plus a “wet wool” note on the nose. Great fruit concentration and snappy acidity before an intensely savoury finish. Manages to combine greasy texture and phenolic grip to good effect.

Editor’s rating: 92/100.

Illimis Riesling 2016
Price: R220
Alc: 12%. W.O. Darling. Fermented and matured for six months in old oak. Petroleum product-like note plus lime, apple (green and yellow) and a hint of reduction. Rich and thick textured on entry although the acidity sits apart and lends a searing quality to the finish. Characterful but perhaps a little unbalanced.

Editor’s rating: 88/100.

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