Thistle & Weed new releases

Thistle & Weed might have been going since the 2016 vintage but only now does co-founder Stephanie Wiid (her business partner is viticulturist Etienne Terblanche) reveal that she is something of winelands royalty – her grandfather was none other than Niel Joubert, former owner of Spier and a founding figure of the Stellenbosch Wine Route.

Of the 2024 vintage, Wiid says that grapes came into the cellar “thick and fast” leaving little time to ponder picking decisions. Tasting notes and ratings as follows:

Springdoring Chenin Blanc 2024
Price: R375
Grapes from a Paardeberg vineyard planted in 1980. Pretty aromatics of pear, white peach, lime, hay and some floral perfume. Lean and tightly wound – lithe rather than slight – with fresh acidity and a saline finish. Restrained, it impresses more with nuance than power. Alc: 12%.

CE’s rating: 93/100.

Duwweltjie Chenin Blanc 2024
Price: R375
Grapes from a Paarl vineyard planted in 1961. Citrus, peach, a touch of pineapple, and a slight waxy note lending complexity. Rich and thick-textured, tangy acidity lending balance, the finish nicely savoury. Alc: 13%.

CE’s rating: 93/100.

Brandnetel Chenin Blanc 2024
Price: R375
From a Stellenbosch planted in 1980. Enticing aromatics of herbs, lime, lemon, ginger and a subtle waxy note. The palate is strikingly intense, with concentrated fruit and arresting acidity, the finish deeply savoury. Power and precision in equal measure—well balanced, seamless, and refreshingly unadorned.

CE’s rating: 94/100.

Khakibos White 2024
Price: R375
29% Verdelho, 23% Chenin Blanc, 18% Alvarinho, 15% Palomino, 15% Fernão Pires. Pear, white peach, floral perfume and a touch of earthiness on the nose. The palate is lean with a sense of energy, the finish pithy. Not especially intense but, again, more about nuance. Alc: 13%.

CE’s rating: 92/100.

Knapsekêrel Cabernet Franc 2024
Price: R375
Grapes from Polkadraai Hills. 15% whole-bunch fermentation. Aromatics of rose, fresh herbs – an especially appealing and not overly pronounced note of mint – along with red cherry and cranberry. The palate is bright and juicy, supported by fine, powdery tannins. None too austere and entirely charming. Alc: 14%.

CE’s rating: 91/100.

Nastergal 2023
Price: R375
50% Alicante Bouschet, 25% Touriga Nacional, 17% Touriga Franca, 8% Souzão (no Tempranillo in this vintage). Black berries, floral perfume, herbs, spice and some earthiness on the nose. The palate is hearty without being heavy – good concentration, fresh acidity, smooth textured in the best sense, the finish nicely dry. Alc: 14.5%.

CE’s rating: 92/100.

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