Luddite re-releases

Volumes of the Shiraz from Bot River cellar Luddite were greatly reduced in 2015 through to 2020 firstly due to the infamous drought and then from the knock-on effect of that prolonged dry period as the vines slowly started to recover.

To tide the business over, Luddite owners Niels and Penny Verburg have released small quantities of 2010 and now 2013 from their personal stocks, tasting notes and ratings as follows:

Luddite Shiraz 2010
Price: R1 080
Matured for 24 months in barrel, approximately 25% new. The nose shows black berries, liquorice, a slight meatiness, earth, pepper and spice. On the palate, the fruit is still intact and the tannins grippy. Full bodied (alcohol is 15.1%) but balanced and still possessing plenty of detail – a hearty, satisfying wine. Total production: 10 500 bottles.

CE’s rating: 93/100.

Luddite Shiraz 2013
Price: R1 485
Matured for 24 months in barrel, 15% new. A cooler vintage and the resulting wine is a little less bold as a result (although alcohol remains 15%). Aromatics of red and black berries, a definite fynbos note, pepper and other spice. The palate is not quite as full as 2010 – good fruit delineation, lemon-like acidity and powdery tannins, the finish possessing a salty quality. A little mellowness starting to appear as you might hope after a decade in bottle.

CE’s rating: 92/100.

The latest vintage 2020 (R1 010 a bottle) rated 94 when tasted in March – see here.

Check out our South African wine ratings database.