The Foundry new releases

Chris Williams spent a long time involved at Stellenbosch property Meerlust, as close as SA gets to a classed growth, so maybe his own wines under The Foundry label which date from 2001, don’t always get the recognition they deserve. Yet, it could be argued that he was as much a part of the “new wave” of 10 or 20 years ago as anyone. Tasting notes and ratings for the new releases as follows:

Roussanne 2022
Price: R255
Sourced from Voor-Paardeberg, this wine was matured for 10 months, 75% in old 300-litre barrels and 25% in amphorae. The nose shows peach, citrus, potpourri, and spice. The palate has both presence and depth – dense fruit, well-integrated acidity, and a savoury finish. Layers of flavour, the finish persistent. Alc: 13.36%. What do expect from this variety under local conditions? I’m not sure I know conclusively but this points the way.

CE’s rating: 94/100.

Grenache Noir 2021
Price: R360
Williams seems to have missed the mark somewhat with this vintage. Made from Voor-Paardeberg fruit, the winemaking involved 40% whole-bunch fermentation, followed by 13 months in old oak and dolium. The nose shows baked red berries, some rubbery reduction, and an earthy undertone. The palate is rich and broad, with a suggestion of sweetness, while the tannins are well on their way to being too resolved. Some will appreciate the opulence, but for me, this feels clumsy. Alc: 14%.

CE’s rating: 90/100.

The Viognier 2022 (price: R255 a bottle) rated 92 points on release in September 2024 – see here. It might just deserrve an extra point now…

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