Vinum new releases

The Vinum range from Radford Dale, consisting of two white wines and four reds, all priced at R199 a bottle, are perhaps a little too expensive to be considered “everyday drinking” but the quality to price ratio is generally very good and they come tastefully labelled so won’t disgrace dinner party or neighbourhood restaurant table. Tasting notes and ratings as follows:

Chenin Blanc 2023
Grapes from the same Lynedoch vineyard planted in 1969 that supplies Radford Dale’s top-end Renaissance bottling. 40% matured in foudre, the rest in a combination of 228-, 300- and 500-litre barrels. Citrus, peach and just the right amount of leesy, waxy complexity on the nose. Great fruit concentration, punchy acidity and pithy, slightly bitter finish. Old-vine Chenin treated with the lightest of hands to great effect. Alc: 13%.

CE’s rating: 94/100.

Chardonnay 2023
Grapes from Polkadraai Hills and Helderberg. Fermented and matured in a combination of foudre and neutral 228- and 300-litre barrels. Floral perfume, citrus and peach on the nose while the palate is pure and fresh with a dry finish. Nicely balanced, this has more concentration than its alcohol of 12% might suggest.

CE’s rating: 92/100.

Pinot Noir 2023
Grapes from Devon Valley, Stellenbosch and Bot River. Red cherry, musk and a hint of reduction on the nose while the palate is medium bodied with fresh acidity and soft tannins. Uncomplicated and immediately accessible. Alc: 12.5%.

CE’s rating: 90/100.

Gamay Noir 2023
Grapes from a Polkadraai Hills vineyard planted in 2017. Red cherry, cranberry and raspberry plus hints of spice and earth on the nose. The palate is light-bodied and tightly wound – good fruit definition, snappy acidity and powdery tannins, the finish gently savoury. If “light reds” are what everybody wants to drink, then why not more Gamay? Alc: 12.5%.

CE’s rating: 93/100.

Grenache 2023
Grapes from Paradyskloof and Helderberg. Partial whole-berry fermentation. Red and black berries, spice and earth on the nose. The palate is not too light and has more structure than many examples – pure fruit, bright acidity and nicely grippy tannins. Alc: 13.5%.

CE’s rating: 93/100.

Pinotage 2023
85% of grapes from Stellenbosch, 15% from Swartland. Whole-berry fermented. Subtle and alluring aromatics of red and black berries plus an earth undertone. The palate is medium-bodied and well balanced – pure and fresh with fine tannins. Succulent on entry, nicely dry on the finish. Pinotage for people who don’t like Pinotage. Alc: 12.5%.

CE’s rating: 93/100.