Metzer new releases

That 2021 facilitated wines of very high quality is again evidenced by Wade Metzer’s  newly released duo of Chenin Blanc from that vintage while his Shiraz 2022 is also typical of that season in being open, accessible and dead sexy. Tasting notes and ratings as follows:

Montane Chenin Blanc 2021
Price: R380
Grapes from a Helderberg vineyard planted in 1964. Matured in older oak for nine months. Lemon, orange, ginger and other spice plus yeasty complexity on the nose while the palate is dense and thick-textured, tangy acidity lending balance, the finish gently savoury and lightly grippy. Broad and flavourful. Alc: 13.2%.

CE’s rating: 95/100.

Maritime Chenin Blanc 2021
Price: R380
Grapes from a 1980 vineyard situated 4km from False Bay. Maturation as above. Complex aromatics with top notes of honeysuckle and fynbos before lime, lemon, flinty reduction and a slight waxy character. The palate is rich but equally defined and well-proportioned – concentrated fruit matched by a great line of acidity, the finish long and saline. Powerful without sacrificing detail. Alc: 13.9%.

CE’s rating: 96/100.

Shiraz 2022
Price: R380
Grapes from two parcels on the Helderberg. 30% whole-bunch fermentation. Matured for 11 months in barrel, 10% new. Expressive aromatics of red and black berries, lavender, earth, cinnamon and pepper. The palate is rich and full but not short of freshness, the tannins grippy but not coarse. Luscious upfront but nicely dry on the finish. Deeply satisfying to drink. Alc: 14.3%.

CE’s rating: 94/100.

Check out our South African wine ratings database.