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Luddite new releases

By Christian Eedes, 7 June 2021

7

The clue’s in the name. Whatever else you might say about the Luddite wines as made by the Verburgs of Bot River, they’re never going to show the polish that comes from the careful application of the newest and most sophisticated cellar equipment. Rather these are wines made without artifice, big on flavour and personality. Tasting notes and ratings for the latest releases as follows:

Luddite Chenin Blanc 2020
Price: R520

22 days of skin contact. Lots of flinty reduction before peach and pineapple on the nose. The palate has a sweet ‘n sour quality although technically bone-dry – good fruit density to go with bracing acidity before a saline finish (the alcohol is a mere 11.5% and residual sugar is 1g/l). An arresting drop.

CE’s rating: 91/100.

Luddite Shiraz 2017
Price: R710

Some whole-bunch fermentation before maturation lasting 24 months in mostly French oak, 32% new. The nose shows red and blackberries, iron fillings, cracked pepper and spice while the palate is surprisingly medium-bodied given an alcohol of 14.86% – a dense core of fruit is matched by a great line of acidity and nicely grippy tannins. Lots of flavour intensity without sacrificing balance.

CE’s rating: 93/100.

Check out our South African wine ratings database.

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Luddite

Comments

7 comment(s)

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BdK | 9 June 2021

‘Shocking’ is entirely relative when you consider it’s the same price as a bottle of Alain Graillot, Crozes-Hermitage 2018. Think I’d rather pop the Luddite. Just saying…

GillesP | 9 June 2021

It is relative indeed but I would rather pop a Boekenhoutskloof Shiraz or a Kevin Arnold. I don’t find Luddite to be a bad wine but not worth its price tag in my opinion.

bart | 9 June 2021

Jys darem n onaangename knaap

GillesP | 9 June 2021

Jammer ek kan nie almal gellukkig hou nie

GillesP | 7 June 2021

Shocking prices

Cardiologist6336 | 8 June 2021

Lol, the ‘P’ obviously doesn’t stand for ‘Positive’ does it, Gilles.

Duncan | 8 June 2021

I love the characterful, plush, joyful shiraz. It has a raw elegance (if not polish) that makes it a pleasure to drink . I’m also surprised it’s that much more expensive than comparable reds, but I won’t be surprised to hear fans of the wine keep buying it.

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