Reyneke new releases

Barbara Melck, winemaker at Reyneke in Stellenbosch since the 2022 harvest, caused a stir at this year’s iTOO Next Generation Awards when her Sauvignon Blanc 2024 was judged best wine overall with a rating of 95 points and her Syrah 2023 was first runner-up, also 95.

The Reyneke range has been overhauled, out go the Biodynamic and Biodynamic Reserve monikers and in comes five single-variety wines intended to showcase more clearly the Polkadraai Hills, these being the two wines mentioned above plus a Chenin Blanc, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon.

In addition, packaging is now more environmentally friendly, bottle weights having dropped from 580g to 450g. “We’ve prided ourselves on farming sustainably, but we didn’t think enough about the finished product. This shift knocks another 22% off our already-low carbon footprint,” says Johan Reyneke, founder and viticulturist.

Tasting notes and ratings for the remaining three wines as follows:

Chenin Blanc 2024
Price: R450
Grapes from two vineyards, planted in 1974 and 1976. Matured for 10 months in 2,500-litre foudré and 500-litre amphora. Subtle and alluring aromatics of pear, peach, quince, flowers and fynbos. The palate is delicate, precise and vital – soft but sufficient acidity carrying the wine with unforced elegance. Alc: 13%.

CE’s rating: 93/100.

Cabernet Franc 2023
Price: R450
Matured for 16 months in second- and third-fill 225-litre barrels. Cranberry, raspberry, cassis, violets, mint, earth and undergrowth on the nose. The palate has a lot of fruit weight despite a moderate alcohol of 13.5%, acidity is fresh, the tannins grippy. Makes a big statement without being too overbearing. Alc: 13.5%

CE’s rating: 92/100.

Cabernet Sauvignon 2023
Price: R450
Matured for 18 months in 225-litre barrels, 100% new. Compelling aromatics of cassis, black cherry, plum, incense, violets, earth, and pencil shavings. The palate is powerful yet balanced, with excellent fruit definition, lively acidity, and supple tannins. Multi-layered and intriguing, it steers clear of easy charm and reveals increasingly more with time in the glass. The finish is super-long and dry. Alc: 13.5%.

CE’s rating: 96/100.

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