Joostenberg new releases

By , 8 June 2022

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“Authenticity” with application to wine is difficult to elucidate – it’s often something sensed rather than rationally comprehended but Joostenberg in Paarl seems to achieve it. This property’s wines aren’t necessarily showstoppers but rather quietly satisfying to drink, the organic approach to farming and a light touch in the cellar helping in this regard. Tasting notes and ratings for the new releases as follows:

Joostenberg Die Agteros Chenin Blanc 2021
Price: R195
Grapes from a 1982 vineyard. Spontaneously fermented and matured for 10 months in concrete egg (60%), older oak (20%) and clay amphorae (20%). Top notes of floral perfume and fynbos before pear and white peach while the palate shows pure fruit, bright acidity with some pithy character to the finish. Light in body with good clarity and drive, this is a wine that’s all about subtlety rather than massive fruit power.

CE’s rating: 91/100.

Joostenberg Fairhead 2021
Price: R195
54% Chenin Blanc, 23% Roussanne, 13% Viognier and 10% Alvarinho. Fermented and matured for 10 months in clay amphorae (60%) and older oak (40%). A compelling nose showing pear, white peach and citrus with notes of hay, fynbos and spice in the background. The palate is well balanced with good fruit concentration, bright acidity and a savoury finish. An elegant wine that should only gain from time in bottle.

CE’s rating: 91/100.

Joostenberg Klippe Kou Syrah 2019
Price: R195

30% whole-bunch fermentation. Matured in 500-litre barrels, 15% new. Red and black berries, smoked meat, pepper and a hint of vanilla on the nose. The palate is medium bodied with a good core of fruit, bright acidity and firm yet fine tannins.

CE’s rating: 91/100.

Joostenberg Philip Albert Cabernet Sauvignon 2018
Price: R195

92% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Merlot. Matured for 22 months in 300-litre barrels, 22% new. Red and black berries, crushed leaves and earth on the nose while the palate is medium bodied and very nicely balanced, the finish long and dry. Classically styled, it has a moderate alcohol of 13.5% which serves it very well.

CE’s rating: 93/100.

Joostenberg Bakermat 2018
Price: R275
39% Syrah, 34% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Mourvèdre and 8% Touriga Nacional. Red and black berries, fresh herbs, fynbos and white pepper on the nose while the palate displays pure fruit, fresh acidity and crunchy tannins. Plenty of detail, the finish long and dry, but not the same depth as 2017.

CE’s rating: 91/100.

Joostenberg Chenin Blanc Noble Late Harvest 2019
Price: R195 per 375ml bottle
Fermented and matured for eighth months in oak barrels, one-third new. Attractive aromatics with a top note of potpourri before apple, peach and apricot plus spice. The palate has great fruit density and comes across as pleasantly thick textured although not short of freshness, the finish long and savoury.

CE’s rating: 93/100.

Check out our South African wine ratings database.

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    Tim James | 8 June 2022

    All thoroughly decent, eminently drinkable wines, as you say, Christian. I don’t quibble at all with your score for the Fairhead – but just want to underline, or add, that it is a totally lovely, delicious wine. I can’t imagine anyone not enjoying it; it surely has both enough seriousness and enough sheer sensual delight to please anyone who loves wine. Sometimes, who cares about greatness?

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