Three Quarters new releases

Mahalia Kotjane, a 2014 graduate of Elsenburg, successful participant in the Cape Winemaker’s Guild Protégé programme and mother of three, launched her own label called Three Quarters with the release of a single-variety Syrah from the 2022 vintage – see here. In 2023, she introduced two new wines and total production now sits at 3,000 bottles. Tasting notes and ratings as follows:

Lereol Rosé 2024
Price: R165
 Named derived from the first two letters of children’s names, the twins Letlotlo and Rebenebotle and the youngest, Olerato. A third each of Syrah, Cinsault and Grenache. Fermented in tank, matured in neutral barrels for three months. Earthy, spicy notes precede orange and maybe some red apple on the nose while the palate has some roundness and richness that belies an alcohol of just 12% – approximately 50% of the wine went through MLF, the result being a pink wine with a little more vinosity than some.

CE’s rating: 90/100.

Red Blend 2023
Price: R229
85% Syrah, 7.5% Cinsault, 7.5% Grenache sourced from various sites in Stellenbosch. Partial whole-bunch fermentation across all three varieties; maturation lasting 14 months in neutral oak. Subtle aromatics of red cherry, plum, spice and a touch of cure meat. Medium bodied with fresh acidity and soft tannins, the finish nicely dry. Immediately approachable. Alc: 13.5%.

CE’s rating: 90/100.

Syrah 2023
Price: R269
Grapes from Polkadraai Hills. Red and black berries plus hints of fynbos, lily and white pepper. Good fruit depth, bright acidity and lightly grippy tannins, the finish gently savoury. It appeals on account of its inherent modesty – hangs together well and is not entirely straightfoward.

CE’s rating: 91/100.

Check out our South African wine ratings database.