Stellenbosch Hills Suikerboschrand 2015

By , 16 August 2019

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3

Grower-owned company Stellenbosch Hills have upped the ante with two new top-end wines under the collective name of Sense of Place, these being a wooded Chenin Blanc called Kastanjeberg 2017 and a Cape Blend, Suikerboschrand 2015. Tasting notes and ratings as follows:

Stellenbosch Hills Kastanjeberg 2017
Price: R285
Fermented with new oak staves, matured for 12 months in 300-litre barrels. The nose shows honeysuckle and vanilla before stone fruit and melon. The palate is rich, broad and creamy in texture with a little spice to the finish. Flavourful but arguably a bit short of refreshment value – alcohol is 14.5%.

Editor’s rating: 90/100.

Suikerbossie ek wil jou hê.

Stellenbosch Hills Suikerboschrand 2015
Price: R385
33% Pinotage, 29% Shiraz, 14% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Merlot and 10% Petit Verdot. All components vinified separately, maturation lasting 24 months in 100% new oak. Dark fruit, violets, incense, a hint of chocolate and spice on the nose while the palate is rich and full (alcohol: 14.5%) but not without freshness, the finish long and dry. With good fruit definition and fine tannins, this keeps the “Cape Blend” dream alive.

Editor’s rating: 92/100.

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3 comment(s)

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    Kwispedoor | 16 August 2019

    So they wait for a potential alcohol level of 14.5% (in Stellenbosch) before harvesting and proceed to chuck new oak staves in it. Then they call it ‘Sense of Place’.

    *scratches head*

      Hennie Taljaard | 16 August 2019

      exactly. why the need for the oak influence? new barrels for reasons of hygiene is understandable. but in this case to purposefully introduce it as flavour component. how does that promote “sense of place”? are we being fed more nonsense from the wine industry?

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