Off the Record new releases

Off the Record is the own label of winemaking brothers Mark and Bobby Wallace, a maiden vintage Syrah now joining the Chenin Blanc that first came into being in 2018.

Off the Record Chenin Blanc 2020
Price: R220
Grapes sourced from the Elgin property owned by Vrede en Lust called Casey’s Ridge. Spontaneously fermented and matured for 10 months in older oak. A hint of reduction before pear, white peach and some almond on the nose while the palate has a good core of fruit with lovely fresh acidity and a saline finish. This grows more accomplished with each passing vintage.

CE’s rating: 92/100.

Off the Record Syrah 2020
Price: R300
Grapes from Ceres Plateau, the vineyard planted on shale at an altitude of 1000 metres. 100% whole-bunch fermented before maturation lasting 10 months in older oak. Red and black berries before subtle notes of rose, fynbos and white pepper on the nose while the palate is juicy and fresh with fine, even quite soft tannins, while the finish has a lightly savoury quality. Pleasing but a little more mid-palate intensity wouldn’t go amiss.

CE’s rating: 90/100.

Check out our South African wine ratings database.

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