Rebel Rebel new releases

Kayleigh Hattingh, assistant winemaker at Bottelary property Kaapzicht, also has her own Rebel Rebel label, her second set of releases now out:

Rebel Rebel Colombar 2022
Price: R235
From a 1986 block on Kaapzicht situated on very sandy soils. Matured for seven months in older 500-litre barrels. Pretty aromatics including floral perfume, hay, apple and citrus while the palate has that density that old vines so often lend but is paradoxically light – alcohol is just 11.5%. A nice viscosity (thanks in part to a residual sugar of 4g/l) plays off against punchy acidity. Well balanced and entirely charming.

CE’s rating: 91/100.

Rebel Rebel Syrah 2021
Price: R235
From a block situated on decomposed gravel at 320m above sea level and very exposed to the wind. Whole-berry fermentation before 15 months of maturation in older 500-litre barrels. Red and black berries plus subtle notes of fynbos, floral perfume and pepper on the nose while the palate has lovely purity of fruit, bright acidity and fine yet not unassertive tannins, the finish nicely dry. Great structure and balance, quietly insistant rather than hard-hitting. Alc: 12.8%.

CE’s rating: 94/100.

Check out our South African wine ratings database.