Vuurberg current releases

Dutchman Sebastiaan Klaassen owns the Banghoek property that lends its name to this two-wine range, with the acclaimed Donovan Rall as winemaker since 2010. Tasting notes and ratings for the latest releases:

White 2022
Price: R265

A blend of 51% Chenin Blanc, 13% Grenache Blanc, 13% Verdelho, 13% Roussanne, and 10% Viognier, sourced from across the Cape winelands. Matured in older 500-litre barrels and foudre. The nose is complex, offering floral and herbal notes alongside pear, peach, citrus, a touch of waxiness, and some flinty reduction. The palate shows concentrated fruit matched by punchy acidity. A wine of real presence and detail, finishing long and dry but without astringency. Alc: 13.5%

CE’s rating: 96/100.

Reserve 2019
Price: R305

An unconventional blend of 48% Petit Verdot, 28% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 24% Cinsault, with 50% of the latter undergoing whole-bunch fermentation. Matured for 18 months in second- and third-fill 225-litre barrels. The nose reveals layers of red currant, cassis, plums, prunes, fynbos, incense, and liquorice. The palate is super-rich – huge fruit concentration but not entirely at the expense of freshness, the tannins firm and tightly packed. As always, hearty but not as overblown as some vintages. Alc: 14.5%

CE’s rating: 92/100.

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