Mother Rock Kweperfontein Chenin Blanc 2017

Left of centre.

Fine, good or merely interesting? How best to describe the wines of Johan “Stompie” Meyer is the question posed by correspondent Tim James elsewhere on the site. They are certainly not wines made to have mass appeal but they are always heartfelt, even if some have been more technically sound than others historically, and hence have an authenticity about them that gives them a particular appeal.

The Mother Rock 2017s as made by Meyer are particularly compelling – he got to work out of a brand new cellar whereas previously he had to rent space on premises belonging to others and this seems to have only done the wines good. Tasting notes and ratings as follows:

Mother Rock White 2017
Approximate retail price: R140
A blend of 60% Chenin Blanc, 18% Viognier, 11% Semillon, 7% Grenache Blanc and 4% Harslevelü. Intended to give an overall impression of the Swartland. The nose shows top notes of flowers and herbs before pear, peach and citrus. Lean, fresh and pithy and yet still characterful. Very well balanced. Alcohol: 12.5%.

Editor’s rating: 93/100.

Mother Rock Kweperfontein Chenin Blanc 2017
Approximate retail price: R210
A companion wine to Liquid Skin 2017 – both wines from the same vineyard, this taken straight to concrete egg whereas Liquid Skin left on the skins for nine weeks. Hay, citrus and peach on the nose while the palate shows lovely purity and focus – very well delineated, vibrant and vital. Not without depth, there’s a vague waxy quality that adds interest. Alcohol: 12.5%.

Editor’s ratng: 94/100.

Mother Rock Brutal! Chenin Blanc 2018
Approximate retail price: R210
Involving 10 days of skin contact. Fascinating nose of potpourri, citrus, a pronounced ginger note and spice. Very flavourful with tangy acidity and a pithy finish. Alcohol: 12%.

Editor’s rating: 93/100.

Mother Rock Holocene 2017
Approximate retail price: R210
50% Cinsault, 25% Carignan and 25% Mourvèdre. Top notes of flowers and fynbos before red and black fruit, earth and spice. Light bodied with spiky acidity and firm, almost astringent tannins – quite particular. Alcohol: 12%.

Editor’s rating: 90/100.

Mother Rock Grenache 2017
Approximate retail price: R210
A very shy nose with only the vaguest sense of red cherry, raspberry and fynbos. The palate is again light with tart acidity and very grippy tannins. Will have its fans but a bit angular and severe for me. Alcohol: 12%.

Editor’s rating: 89/100.

Mother Rock Syrah 2017
Approximate retail price: R210
Red and black fruit overlain with scrub, pepper and spice plus hints of olive and liquorice. The palate has pure fruit, zingy acidity and fine tannins. Well balanced and rather charming. Alcohol: 12.5%.

Editor’s rating: 92/100.

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