Radford Dale Organic new releases

Petroné Thomas.

Petroné Thomas, who graduated from Stellenbosch University with a degree in viticulture and oenology in 2018, joined Radford Dale as assistant winemaker in October 2021. Following Jacques de Klerk’s rather unexpected departure shortly after the 2024 harvest, she now finds herself fully in charge. Among her key responsibilities will be realising the full potential of Radford Dale Organic (formerly Elgin Ridge). Tasting notes and ratings for the new releases as follows:

Touchstone Chardonnay 2024
Price: R549
Pear, peach, citrus, green apple and orchard blossom on the nose. Great clarity of fruit and plenty of drive before a pithy finish. Poised and tense, it celebrates restraint over richness – for those who like their Chardonnay steely rather than buttery… Alc: 12.5%.

CE’s rating: 96/100.

Revelation Semillon 2024
Price: R549
Marked reduction on the nose, though peach, nectarine and potpourri emerge with patience. Concentrated and vibrant on the palate, finishing deeply savoury. Geeky but compelling. Alc: 12.5%.

CE’s rating: 92/100.

Freedom Pinot Noir 2024
Price: R549
Matured for 12 months in barrel, 10% new. A touch of reduction precedes strawberry, cherry and musk on the nose. Elegant and tightly coiled on the palate with much more purity than the difficult 2023 vintage. Light and fresh with powdery tannins. Alc: 13%.

CE’s rating: 93/100.

Higher Purpose Cabernet Franc 2024
Price: R549
10% whole-bunch fermentation; 90% matured in concrete egg, 10% in barrel. Subtle flinty reduction before red berry, red apple, rose and appealing herbal lift. Pure and zippy with fine-grained tannins, the finish nicely dry. Clean, poised and remarkably complete at 13.5% alcohol.

CE’s rating: 94/100.

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