The Blacksmith new releases

By , 8 November 2024

“I’ve been incognito for a while,” says Tremayne Smith of the Blacksmith Wines. He was the winemaker at Fable Mountain Vineyards in Tulbagh until the end of 2021 but found himself on his own after a change of ownership. He’s subsequently established his own cellar in a light industrial part of Riebeek West and is now intent on raising the profile of his own label, the wines generally alternative but not unduly funky or weird. Tasting notes and ratings for the current releases as follows:

Bloodline Pet Nat 2022
Price: R235
From Swartland Chenin Blanc. 10 months on the lees, riddled and disgorged. Peach, hay and a slight yeasty note on the nose. The palate is lean with a fine mousse and a bone dry finish. Super-refreshing. Alc: 12%

CE’s rating: 90/100.

Barebones Colombar 2022
Price: R155
W.O. Western Cape. Ferment begun in stainless steel tank, a portion subsequently transferred to old oak while maturation lasts eight months. Lime, green apple, fynbos and hay on the palate while the palate has a nice austerity about it – more skeletal than fleshy, tightly wound and energetic. A quietly convincing example of the variety. Alc: 11.5%.

Price: 92/100.

These Old Bones 2022
Price: R285
Grapes from a Paarl vineyard planted in 1977 certified as Chenin Blanc but in fact a field blend of Chenin Blanc, Semillon, Semillon Gris, Palomino and Crouchen Blanc. Matured for 10 months in old oak. Elusive notes of peach, soft citrus, dried herbs and earth and a little honeyed advancement on the nose. Good weight and texture, moderate acidity and a gently savoury finish. Plenty of interest. Alc: 13%.

CE’s rating: 93/100.

Barebones Cinsault 2022
Price: R180
Grapes from Paarl. Matured for 10 months in old oak. The nose is not excessively showy, with notes of red cherry, strawberry, earth and a hint of herbs. Alcohol is a moderate 12.5% but the palate is not insubstantial with good fruit definition, soft but sufficient acidity and a little tannic grip to the finish.

CE’s rating: 90/100.

Guided By The Moon 2023
Price: R235
Grapes from a field blend of Grenache Blanc, Grenache Gris and Palomino planted in 5m x 5m mini-blocks planted in 2020 on the same Paarl property as block that supplies These Old Bones. Strawberry, peach, orange, earth and spice on the nose. Light but textured with fresh acidity and pithy finish. “A deconstructed, reconstructed Grenache Gris,” says Smith. Might equally be considered a nicely understated “light red”.

CE’s rating: 91/100.

The Flash Series Dry Red 2023
Price: R235
The Flash Series consists of “small batch, experimental wines” that change from vintage to vintage, this release consisting of 50% Tinta Barocca and 50% Touriga Nacional from the Swartland. Matured for seven months in old oak. Red and black berries, violets, lavender, fynbos and earth. The palate is dense but still vibrant – good fruit definition, fresh acidity and lightly grippy tannins.

CE’s rating: 92/100.

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