Kleine Zalze Project Z new releases

Kleine Zalze’s Project Z is a “creative playground” for winemaker RJ Botha and team, exploring small-batch, boundary-pushing wines. The first wines made in 2017, the range experiments with alternative varieties and unusual techniques, each release carrying a distinctive linocut label created in-house. More than just an outlet for innovation, Project Z serves to lift the quality of the cellar’s mainstream offerings. Tasting notes and ratings for the fifth set of releases as follows:

Grenache Blanc 2024
Price: R320
W.O Piekenierskloof. Fermented and matured for nine months in concrete egg. Lovely aromatics of talcum powder, pear, quince, peach, herbs and hay. The palate is luscious and creamy with moderate acidity. A touch of sweetness threatens to dull definition, but the pithy finish ensures a measure of texture and balance. Alc: 13%.

CE’s rating: 92/100.

Chenin Blanc 2023
Price: R470
55% of grapes from Durbanville vineyard planted in 1983, 45% from a Stellenbosch vineyard planted in 1977. Fermented and matured in amphora and concrete egg.  A leesy “wet wool” note precedes aromas of quince, citrus, peach and a touch of hay. The palate is piquant with pure fruit, a thrilling line of acidity and plenty of flavour, the finish lightly grippy and deeply savoury. Concentrated and punchy. Alc: 12%.

CE’s rating: 95/100.

Heritage White Blend 2023
Price: R320
70% Palomino from Piekenierskloof, 20% Chenin Blanc, and 10% Alvarinho, both from Stellenbosch. Certified heritage vineyards: Palomino planted in 1967, Chenin Blanc in 1977. Some skin contact, maturation in older oak and amphora. Floral perfume, herbs, pear, peach, green apple and a touch of reduction on the nose. The palate is light-bodied and elegant, showing pure fruit and bright acidity, the finish pithy in texture and saline in flavour. Alc: 11.5%.

CE’s rating: 93/100.

Grenache Noir 2023
Price: R430
Majority of grapes from Piekenierskloof, the remainder from Darling. Partial whole-bunch fermentation in tank, matured in old oak and amphora. Strawberry, plum, rose, earth and spice with a touch of rubbery reduction on the nose. Broad and open-knit on the palate with seemingly moderate acidity and soft, powdery tannins. Alc: 13.5%.

CE’s rating: 91/100.

Stellenbosch Syrah 2023
Price: R600
Partial whole-bunch fermentation. Matured in amphora and old oak. Black berries, violets, fynbos, liquourice and black pepper. Powerful palate – dense fruit and big acidity with grippy, tightly-packed tannins. Takes time to unfurl in the glass. Alc: 14.5%.

CE’s rating: 93/100.

Sweet Fortified NV
Price: R332 per 375ml bottle
The latest release of an ongoing project, a multi-varietal blend made since 2015, this edition incorporating 2022. To date, Chenin Blanc, Viognier, Sauvignon Blanc and Muscat d’Alexandrie have featured. Grapes are left to dry on the vine before spirit is added during fermentation. The nose shows apricot, straw, potpourri, nutmeg and spice. It’s unusual – combining freshness with a spiritous edge before a dry, grippy finish. Alc: 17%.

CE’s rating: 92/100.

Check out our South African wine ratings database.