Van Loggerenberg Trust Your Gut Chenin Blanc 2018

Lukas van Loggerenberg of Van Loggerenberg Wines.

The 2018s from Lukas van Loggerenberg are out and the fanboys and girls will need to free up some cellar space. Tasting notes and ratings as follows:
 
Van Loggerenberg Break-A-Leg Blanc de Noir 2018
Approximate retail price: R140

From Paarl Cinsault, a pink wine that’s not frivolous. Orange, wild strawberry and a subtle earthiness on the nose. Relatively medium bodied given an alcohol of just 11.7%. Has a nice freshness and a very dry finish.

Editor’s rating: 88/100.

Van Loggerenberg Trust Your Gut Chenin Blanc 2018
Approximate retail price: R370

This cuvee incorporates grapes from a variety of sources and this flexibility seems to have allowed for the best possible outcome in the challenging 2018 vintage. The nose shows a herbal top note before citrus, stone fruit, earth and spice. Super-dense on the palate but not short of verve thanks to lovely acidity, the finish long and pithy – gives great pleasure.

Editor’s rating: 95/100.

Van Loggerenberg Kameraderie Chenin Blanc 2018
Approximate retail price: R405

From a 2ha Paarl vineyard planted in 1960. A generally shy nose with vague notes of citrus and white peach while the palate seems relatively lean and impenetrable compared to previous vintages. May simply require time in bottle to show its true pedigree. Only 880 bottles made.

Editor’s rating: 92/100.

Van Loggerenberg Geronimo Cinsault 2018
Approximate retail price:  R265

Now firmly entrenched as one of the most serious versions of the variety. This vintage exclusively from Stellenbosch grapes, winemaking involved 100% whole-bunch fermentation. A very fragrant nose of fynbos, cherries and plums while the palate has great fruit purity, fresh acidity and crunchy tannins. Possessing impressive clarity, this is compelling stuff.

Editor’s rating: 94/100.

Van Loggerenberg Breton Cabernet Franc 2018
Approximate retail price: R370

Very much Loire inspired. From three Polkadraai vineyards, winemaking involved 65% whole-bunch fermentation. A pronounced herbal note to go with red fruit and violets on the nose. Medium-bodied with fresh acidity and fine tannins, the finish super-salty. Seems a bit more angular than the much celebrated 2017 vintage.

Editor’s rating: 91/100.

Van Loggerenberg Graft Syrah 2018
Approximate retail price: R370

This vintage is exclusively from Syrah whereas the maiden 2017 contained a significant portion of Cinsault. 100% whole-bunch fermentation and matured for nine months in French oak, a third new. The nose shows a slight smoky note before dark fruit and pepper. The palate is forceful due to fruit density rather than high alcohol or extraction, the tannins firm and crunchy and again this probably needs at least 12 months in bottle to come into its own.

Editor’s rating: 91/100.

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