Welbedacht new releases

Christiaan Nigrini of Welbedacht, the Wellington property owned by former Springbok rugby player Schalk Burger and sons, cracked Top 10 in last year’s Next Generation Awards. He’s softly spoken but purposeful, saying that Wellington needs to “either step up or step aside” and his mission is to prove that the district can do elegance despite its notorious heat. Tasting notes and ratings for the latest releases as follows:

Old Bush Vine Chenin Blanc 2024
Price: R250
Grapes from a 1979 block. Fermentation begun by inoculation in tank and finished in older barrels. Pretty aromatics including quite a pronounced herbal note, ginger, floral perfume, citrus and peach. The palate is more linear than the wine’s alcohol of 14.13% might suggest – good fruit concentration and bright acidity before a dry finish. Cleverly made.

CE’s rating: 92/100.

Pinotage 2023
Price: R250
Grapes from a 1989 block on granite. Four different fermentations, three inoculated with different commercial yeasts and one natural to achieve multiple blending components. Matured in old oak. Red cherry, raspberry and fynbos on the nose. The palate shows lots of pure, ripe fruit matched by zippy acidity and fine tannins, the finish nicely dry. Well balanced, admirably not overworked, no overt oak influence – carries its 14.32% alcohol with ease.

CE’s rating: 91/100.

Patriot 2024
Price: TBC
70% Pinotage, 10% Mourvèdre, 10% Syrah, 10% Petit Verdot. Matured for 12 months in old oak. Cranberry, raspberry, plums, cassis, violets, herbs and spice on the nose. The palate is hearty but avoids excess – generous fruit, bright acidity and pleasantly grippy tannins. Alc: 14.79%.

CE’s rating: 91/100.

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