Thistle & Weed new releases

Thistle & Weed, the collaboration between viticulturist Etienne Terblanche and winemaker Stephanie Wiid, is now based at Jonkershoek farm Leef op Hoop, tastings by appointment. They are also in the process of getting their new releases to market, tasting notes and ratings as follows:

Springdoring Chenin Blanc 2023
Price: R360
Grapes from a Paardeberg vineyard planted in 1980. The nose shows hay, lime, white peach and a hint of flinty reduction. The palate is lithe and energetic – good fruit concentration, well integrated acidity, the finish pithy in texture and nicely savoury. Alc: 12%.

CE’s rating: 96/100.

Duwweltjie Chenin Blanc 2023
Price: R360
Grapes from a Paarl vineyard planted in 1961. Lime, lemon, nectarine and soft citrus with some floral perfume in the background. Dense fruit and snappy acidity before a dry finish – pure but not too lean. A very satisfying and complete wine. Alc: 13%.

CE’s rating: 96/100.

Brandnetel Chenin Blanc 2023
Price: R360
From a Stellenbosch planted in 1980 with over 30 different rootstocks for trial purposes. The nose is rather shy with subtle notes of yellow peach and earth. The palate is rich and broad with seemingly moderate acidity – nice weight and texture but perhaps a bit shut down at this point.Alc: 13%.

CE’s rating: 92/100.

Khakibos White 2023
Price: R285
45% Verdelho, 19% Chenin Blanc, 15% Alvarinho, 11% Palomino and 10% Finao Pires sourced from across the Western Cape. Top notes of floral perfume, hay and herbs before pear, peach, citrus and pineapple. The palate is well balanced and has broad appeal – pure and zesty with a dry finish. Alc: 13.5%.

CE’s rating: 92/100.

Knapsekêrel Cabernet Franc 2023
Price: R360
Grapes from Polkadraai Hills. 10% whole-bunch, matured for eight months in older oak. Red berries, musk and a light herbal note on the nose while the palate is juicy and approachable – medium bodied, moderate acidity and soft tannins. Alc: 13.5%.

CE’s rating: 89/100.

Nastergal 2022
Price: R285
31% Tempranillo, 27% Alicante Bouschet, 17% Souzao, 12% Pontac, 6% Tinta Francisca, 6% Touriga Nacional, 1% Touriga Franca. Blackberries, potpourri, herbs and earth on the nose. The palate has good depth of fruit, bright acidity, and firm but fine tannins. Nicely balanced – succulent on entry but ends dry. Alc: 14%.

CE’s rating: 93/100.

P. Jackson 2020
Price: R345 per 375ml bottle
Late Bottled Vintage. 39% Souzão, 39% Touriga Franca and 22% Tinta Barocca. Red and black berries, fynbos, spice and chocolate on the nose. The palate shows all the refinement and approachability you want from this style with good fruit definition, vibrant acidity and smoothness of texture, while the finish remains nicely savoury. Balanced and detailed. Alc: 17.5%.

CE’s rating: 94/100.

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