Scions of Sinai new releases

Bernhard Bredell established his label Scions of Sinai in 2016, the name inspired by Sinai Hill, a granitic outcrop in the Helderberg foothills. The release of the 2025 vintage therefore marks the conclusion of the project’s first decade – and what began as a promising small-scale venture has matured into one of the Cape’s most impressive new-wave wineries.

Silika Chardonnay 2025
Pre-allocated.
From the Lower Helderberg. Matured in stainless steel tank for six months before a further three months in an older 400-litre barrel. A note of flinty reduction before citrus, floral perfume and herbs on the nose. Pure and zesty with a savoury finish – direct rather than lean. Alc: 12.25%.

CE’s rating: 92 | Distinctive

Gramadoelas Grenache Blanc 2025
Price: R360

From Klein Karoo. 60% fermented and matured for nine months in 400- and 500-litre barrels, 40% in stainless steel tank. Elusive aromatics of lime, white peach, flowers and herbs. The palate is lean but not insubstantial, showing admirable fruit purity and invigorating acidity before a finish that is dry but not aggressively so. Ethereal although that acidity can’t be ignored. Alc: 12%.

CE’s rating: 93 | Classic

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Granietsteen Chenin Blanc 2025
Price: R485

From a Lower Helderberg planted in 1978. Fermented and matured in concrete and foudre. Subtle aromatics of hay, peach and soft citrus while the palate is intense without undue weight, the tangy acidity beautifully integrated. Layers of flavour unfold gradually before a gently savoury finish. To call it stingy would be unfair but it is certainly understated – cerebral rather than hedonistic. Alc: 12.65%

CE’s rating: 93 | Serious

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Heldervallei Cinsault 2025
Price: R360

From Lower Helderberg vineyards, one planted in 1968 and the other in 1988. Partial whole-bunch fermentation. Matured for 11 months in older 225- and 400-litre barrels. Cranberry and raspberry on the nose plus hints of floral perfume and spice. Excellent fruit purity, bright acidity and fine, chalky tannins, the finish long and utterly dry. Light and energetic, with sufficient mid-palate presence without ever becoming plush. Alc: 12.25%.

CE’s rating: 95 | Delicious

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Krummelklip Cabernet Sauvignon 2025
Price: R460

From Lower Helderberg. 10% whole-bunch inclusion. Mature for 12 months in older 225-litre barrels. Exceptionally fragrant with notes of red and black berries, rose, violets and herbs. The palate shows a dense core of fruit, bright acidity and tannins that are firm but not forbidding. Not massively extracted but nevertheless properly structured and convincingly age-worthy. Alc: 13.9%.

CE’s rating: 95 | Serious

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The release of the 2025 vintage of both Féniks Pinotage and Swanesang Syrah have been delayed as Bredell feels both these wines need more time in bottle before reaching the bottle. The 2024 vintages of both wines have both gained in stature since being tasted in April last year, Feniks (R405) having lost its primary exuberance to reveal proper structure, while Swanesang (R465) is even more harmonious than it was originally.

The white blend that is Granitas 2025 (R210) and Atlantikas Pinotage 2025 (R210) were reviewed in January – see here.

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