Miles Mossop new releases

Miles Mossop, former Tokara winemaker, continues to turn out an accomplished set of wines under his own label. Tasting notes and ratings for the new releases as follows:

The Introduction Chenin Blanc 2019
Price: R125
From old unirritaged Stellenbosch and Swartland. Includes small portions of Verdelho and Viognier. Citrus, peach and some leesy complexity on the nose while the palate is marked by pure fruit, racy acidity and a savoury finish. Textbook stuff.

CE’s rating: 90/100.

The Introduction Red 2018
Price: R140
60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Cinsault, 15% Merlot, 8% Petit Verdot and 2% Cabernet Franc – Cinsault appearing for the first time in this wine. Matured for 18 months in older oak. Aromatics of red and black berries, a particular leafy note plus a hint of pencil shavings. Medium bodied with clean fruit, bright acidity and fine tannins, the finish long and dry.

CE’s rating: 90/100.

Chapter One Cinsault 2019
Price: R280
From Swartland grapes. Matured in old oak as opposed to concrete tank as in the case of 2018. Red berries, fynbos and dried herbs on the nose. Lovely fruit purity, bright acidity and fine tannins, the finish nicely dry. Riper than 2018 (alcohol is 13.5%) and that much less geeky as a result.

CE’s rating: 92/100.

The 2017 vintage of white blend Saskia rated 95/100 on earlier review – see here.

Max 2017
Price: R395
W.O. Stellenbosch. 47% Cabernet Sauvignon, 26% Merlot, 21% Petit Verdot and 6% Cabernet Franc. Matured for 22 months in French oak, 37% new. Red and black berries, oystershell, a hint of tilled earth and pencil shavings on the nose. The palate shows luscious fruit, fresh acidity and fine tannins. Possessing impressive structure, it comes nicely to a point on the finish. Very nicely judged.

CE’s rating: 95/100.

Kika 2019
Price: R315 per 375ml bottle
Noble Late Harvest. From Chenin Blanc, some 75% of the grapes were botrytis infected. Apricot, honey and mushroom on the nose while the palate is massively concentrated and viscous in texture although not short of freshness, while the finish is long and savoury. Makes a big impression.

CE’s rating: 93/100.

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