Van Loggerenberg new releases

2019 marks the fourth set of releases from Lukas van Loggerenberg, these wines quintessential examples of why the South African “new wave” movement remains so exciting.

Van Loggerenberg Trust Your Gut 2019
Approximate retail price: R370
From Chenin Blanc – 73% Paardeberg, 27% Polkadraai. A top note of potpourri before yellow peach, apple and naartjie plus some yeasty complexity. The palate has weight and texture offset by tangy acidity, the finish possessing a slight bitterness that adds a point of interest. Very flavourful, very expressive.

CE’s rating: 93/100.

Trust the force.

Van Loggerenberg Kameraderie 2019
Approximate retail price: R400
From a Paarl vineyard of Chenin Blanc planted in 1960. Pear, white peach and lemon plus a hint of reduction as well as dried herbs and some talcum-powder dustiness in the background. Great fruit purity, punchy acidity and a pithy finish – just so energetic and balanced. Tightly wound, this is a good few years off drinking at its best.

CE’s rating: 95/100.

Van Loggerenberg Geronimo 2019
Approximate retail price: R265
From Stellenbosch Cinsault, one in Firgrove planted in 1978 and the other in Bottelary planted in 1989. 100% whole-bunch fermented.  An utterly seduction nose with notes of red cherry, rose, pomegranate and herbs. The palate is light-bodied with lemon-like acidity and powdery tannins. Lovely purity and clarity while simultaneously being almost ephemeral – alcohol: 12.5%

CE’s rating: 93/100.  

Van Loggerenberg Breton 2019
Approximate retail price: R370
From three parcels of Stellenbosch Cabernet Franc.  50% whole-bunch fermentation. Very fragrant with notes of red fruit, violets and pronounced herbal note. The palate is lean and fresh with very fine tannins, the finish possessing a slightly salty quality. As ever, this is a particular and slightly severe expression of the variety. Drinking it with food, however, the wine has a winning coolness about it.

CE’s rating: 91/100.

Van Loggerenberg Graft 2019
Approximate retail price: R400
From a Syrah vineyard on the Polkadraai Hills of Stellenbosch. 100% whole-bunch fermentation. Matured for 10 months in French oak, 30% new. Again a wonderfully alluring and complex nose with notes of red and black berries, olive, pepper, lilies and fynbos. Relatively full-bodied but possessing trademark fruit purity and fineness of tannin – very well judged. This is shaping as a very fine rendition of the variety.

CE’s rating: 94/100.

The Break a Leg Blanc de Noir 2019 was reviewed in October 2019 and rated 91/100 – see here.

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