Kruger Family Wines new releases

Johan Kruger made his name at Stellenbosch property Sterhuis in the 2000s before he and his Belgian wife Sofie struck out on their own, first bottling under own label being 2015. Their modus operandi is to work largely with old vines located across the Western Cape, the portfolio predominantly featuring Kruger’s much loved Chardonnay but including anything that takes his fancy. Tasting notes and ratings for new as well as imminent releases as follows:

Sans Chêne Chardonnay 2024
Price: R145
Grapes from Pieknierskloof vineyard planted in 1995. Matured in concrete. The nose shows hints of floral perfume and herbs before pear and citrus while the palate is linear, fresh and pithy. Clean and balanced, a charming wine. Alc: 13.5%.

CE’s rating: 90/100.

Old Vines Chardonnay Stellenbosch 2022
Price: R315
From a vineyard planted in 1990. Matured for nine months in barrel, 10% new. The nose shows flinty reduction before lemon, oatmeal and a nutty quality. The palate is forceful, even heavy despite a moderate alcohol of 13% – great depth of fruit and a creamy texture, fresh acidity and a savoury finish.

CE’s rating: 91/100.

Old Vines Chardonnay Swartland 2022
Price: R450
From a vineyard planted in 1986. Matured in a combination of concrete eggs, foudre and older barrels. Lime, lemon, potpourri and herbs on the nose while the palate shows clean fruit and zippy acidity before a dry finish. An elegant wine with great purity and drive. Alc: 13.5%.

CE’s rating: 93/100.

Klipkop Chardonnay 2022
Price: R245
Grapes from a Piekenierskloof vineyard planted in 1991. Mature for nine months in barrel, 15% new. Deep in colour, the aromatics are complex and compelling: Lemon, orange, oatmeal, fresh bread and some leesy complexity. Rich and round with tangy acidity and a savoury finish. Layers of flavour and great balance. Opulent but not cloying, this is old fashioned in the best way. Alc: 12.5%.

CE’s rating: 93/100.

Klipkop Chardonnay 2023
Price: R245
The aromatics are still rather primary at this stage with some struck-match reduction before lemon and a hint of vanilla. The palate is cleaner and more precise than the previous vintage – good clarity and density of fruit to go with punchy acidity and a savoury finish.

CE’s rating: 94/100.

Sutherland-Karoo Chardonnay 2023
Price: R450
NEW. Grapes from a vineyard planted in 2009 at 1,500m above sea level. Matured in two 400-litre barrels, one new and the other third-fill. Varied aromatics of lemon, peach, nectarine, blossom and Karoo dust road. The palate is seamless possessing both breadth and depth. With great fruit density and well-integrated acidity, this has huge presence and yet is entirely harmonious. The first commercial bottling ever, total production was a mere 550 bottles. Alc: 13.5%.

CE’s rating: 95/100.

Sutherland-Karoo Syrah 2023
Price: R450
If the 2022 vintage of this wine suggested that this special site was in good hands with Kruger, the 2023 is even better. Alcohol of the new vintage is 14%, a degree higher than its predecessor, and it has that much more grunt consequently. Red and black berries, orange, floral perfume, raw meat, pepper and gun smoke on the nose. The palate shows dense fruit matched by a great line of acidity, while the tannins are firm and tightly packed, the finish deeply savoury.

CE’s rating: 96/100.

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