Longridge new releases

What better to sit tasting wine on the veranda of Stellenbosch biodynamic farm Longridge situated at the foot of the Helderberg looking back towards Table Mountain? The one proviso is that the top-end wines don’t come cheap but they are good. Tasting notes and ratings for the new releases as follows:

Clos du Ciel Chardonnay 2022
Price: R800
From a 1.5ha block planted to nine different clones in 1987. Matured for 12 months in barrel, 50% new. Lemon, grapefruit, oatmeal, nuts and some struck-match reduction. Concentrated fruit and fresh acidity before a pithy finish. Substantial and textured but equally vital. Alc: 13%.

CE’s rating: 95/100.

Ekliptika 2020
Price: R630
39% Cabernet Franc, the rest Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdot. Red and black berries plus subtle notes of floral perfume, herbs and pencil shavings. The palate is refined rather than elegant – generous fruit, fresh acidity and fine tannins, the finish gently savoury. Already quite open but should mature gracefully over the medium term. Alc: 14.5%.

CE’s rating: 94/100.

Maandans Pinotage 2020
Price: R1,320
Grapes from a vineyard planted in 1972. Matured for 18 months in barrel, 50% new. Enticing aromatics of red cherry, cranberry, rose, a hint of mint and other herbs. Lovely clarity of fruit, zesty acidity and fine tannins, the finish long and dry. Poised and intricate, it’s 14.5% alcohol impossible to discern.

CE’s rating: 95/100.

Misterie Merlot 2019
Price: R2,130
Matured for 24 months in barrel, 80% new. Red berries, tomato cocktail, potpourri, vanilla, chocolate and pencil shavings on the nose. The palate is medium bodied with fresh acidity and velvety tannins. Plush but not heavy or sweet. Alc: 14%.

CE’s rating: 93/100.

Longridge Ou Steen Chenin Blanc 2023 (R520 a bottle) rated 94 in April this year – see here.

Check out our South African wine ratings database.