JH Meyer Wines new releases
By Christian Eedes, 23 January 2018
Johan “Stompie” Meyer is very much part of the Swartland new wave when it comes to making wines for Mother Rock and Mount Abora but he also happens to have a fatal fascination with Chardonnay and Pinot Noir and his own label allows him to bring his lo-fi sensibilities to these varieties. Tasting notes and ratings for the new releases as follows:
JH Meyer Palmiet Chardonnay 2016
Approximate retail price: R195
W.O. Elgin. Citrus and white peach. Light but very flavourful and possessing a real zippiness. The finish is long and gently savoury.
Editor’s rating: 91/100.
JH Meyer Kleinrivier Chardonnay 2016
Approximate retail price: R225
W.O. Hemel en Aarde Ridge. Quite oxidative after the spontaneous fermentation took 12 months to complete. Citrus, yellow earth and some yeasty complexity. Relatively rich and broad – flavourful but a touch rustic.
Editor’s rating: 89/100.
JH Meyer Carbonic Pinot Noir 2017
Approximate retail price: R185
W.O. Elgin. Top notes of herbs and flowers before red and black berries plus a little earth. The palate, meanwhile, possesses juicy fruit and crunchy tannins. Not a profound wine but very attractive.
Editor’s rating: 89/100.
JH Meyer Palmiet Pinot Noir 2016
Approximate retail price: R225
W.O. Elgin. 100% whole bunch fermentation as for the rest. Red cherry, snapped twig, earth and spice. A palate which is light bodied with fresh acidity and not particularly grippy tannins make for quite a pretty wine.
Editor’s rating: 90/100.
JH Meyer Elandsrivier Pinot Noir 2016
Approximate retail price: R250
W.O. Elandskloof. A vague floral note before red fruit, dried herbs and spice. Light bodied yet not without fruit density, fresh acidity and fine tannins. Nicely balanced and the most compelling of Meyer’s four Pinots.
Editor’s rating: 91/100.
JH Meyer Kleinrivier Pinot Noir 2016
Approximate retail price: R250
W.O. Hemel en Aarde Ridge. Red and black fruit, earth and spice. Good fruit expression, lemon-like acidity and fine tannins. Has the most heft of the collection.
Editor’s rating: 90/100.
JH Meyer Cradock Peak Pinot Noir 2016
Approximate retail price: R270
W.O. Outeniqua. A slight reductive note plus dark fruit and earth with some floral perfume and fresh herbs in the background. Good depth of fruit and fresh acidity before a very dry finish – comes across as a bit stern.
Editor’s rating: 88/100.
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