Roodekrantz new releases

Roodekrantz is a partnership between former Windmeul export manager Marius Burger, son Marius Junior and winemaker Danie Morkel that focuses on securing old vine parcels from across the winelands. The 2021 set of wines, all from Chenin Blanc, have just been released, and once again they are impressive (winemaking is the same throughout – inoculation with a commercial yeast so that the fermentation process doesn’t obscure terroir, maturation lasting 10 months in older oak). Tasting notes and ratings as follows:

Roodekrantz Rhenosterbosrug 2021
Price: R270
From a Swartland vineyard planted in 1983. Pretty aromatics of pear and white peach with notes of hay and potpourri in the background. The palate is lean and tense, elegant and energetic – pure fruit, lovely freshness and a pithy finish.

CE’s rating: 95/100.

Roodekrantz Die Kliphuis 2021
Price: R330
From a Swartland vineyard planted in 1977. Expressive aromatics of citrus, peach, nectarine and mandarin while the palate has great concentration, punchy acidity and arrestingly bitter finish – a dramatic wine.

CE’s rating: 95/100.

Roodekrantz Brand se Berg 2021
Price: R270
From an Agter-Paarl vineyard planted in 1975. Lime, lemon and orange plus some leesy complexity on the nose while the palate is rich and round with tangy acidity and an intensely savoury finish.

CE’s rating: 93/100.

Roodekrantz 1974 Old Bush Vine 2021
Price: R270
From an Agter-Paarl vineyard planted in 1974. Top notes of honeysuckle and herbs before citrus and peach on the nose while the palate is rich and dense but not short of freshness. Full of flavour and nicely weighted.

CE’s rating: 94/100.

Roodekrantz Donkermaan 2021
Price: R330
From a Helderberg vineyard planted in 1967. Intriguing aromatics of peach, citrus, fynbos and wet wool. Great texture and mouthfeel – this has side-palate in addition to length and is just very well balanced. Subtle and intricate.

CE’s rating: 95/100.

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