Opstal current releases

Kumusha is a wine brand that sees Zimbabwean sommelier Tinashe Nyamudoka in partnership with Attie Louw of Breedekloof property Opstal and now that this is well-established, Louw can once again concentrate on his own, small-batch, top-end wines. Tasting notes and ratings as follows:

Carl Everson Chenin Blanc 2021
Price: R250
Grapes from certified heritage block planted in 1982. Matured for seven months in a combination of concrete, stainless steel tank and foudre. A touch of reduction before citrus, peach and earth on the nose while the palate has dense fruit matched by a good line of acidity and a saline finish. Possessing both detail and length, this is the best vintage of this wine in quite some time. Alc: 13%.

CE’s rating: 94/100.

Carl Everson Chenin Blanc 2022
Not yet released.
Honeysuckle, hay and peach on the nose while the palate has generous fruit, moderate acidity and a very slight bitterness to the finish. Smooth textured and already quite open.

CE’s rating: 92/100.

Eenvoud Single Vineyard Chenin Blanc 2022
Price: R500
Grapes from the Carl Everson block, 15% saw skin contact while the majority was matured in concrete. Peach, potpourri and earth on the nose while palate is all about weight and texture – good depth of fruit and moderate acidity before a gently savoury finish. Alc: 13%.

CE’s rating: 93/100.

Bergsteen Single Barrel Chenin Blanc 2022
Price: R500
From a vineyard planted at 365m above sea level, the highest on the farm. Charming aromatics of lime, lemon, peach and floral perfume. The palate is elegant and harmonious – pure fruit and punchy acidity before a pithy finish. A  new benchmark for the Breedekloof.  Alc: 13.95%.

CE’s rating: 95/100.

The Barber Semillon 2022
Price: R300
Grapes from a vineyard planted in 2011. Matured for 10 months in old 300- and 400-litre barrels. Citrus, hay and dried herbs on the nose while the palate has concentrated fruit and no shortage of freshness, the finish salty. True to the variety and nicely balanced. Alc: 13%.

CE’s rating: 92/100.

The Barber Verdelho 2022
Price: R300
Grapes sourced from a Helderberg vineyard as Louw waits for his own plantings to come online. Matured for 10 months in foudre and older 500-litre barrels. Peach, pineapple, a hint of spice and some yeasty complexity on the nose. The palate has good fruit definition and well-integrated acidity – pleasantly thick textured. Alc: 13.5%.

CE’s rating: 92/100.

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