Winshaw Vineyards new releases

Klein Welmoed situated between Meerlust and Spier on Baden Powell Drive outside Stellenbosch has been owned by the Winshaw family since the 1970s. It has long been a source of high-quality wine grapes and the plan going forwards is to establish Winshaw Vineyards as a premium wine brand. Brothers JP and Pierre, who are the current custodians, are not hanging about in this regard, having released four vintages of their two Cape Bordeaux red blends in two and a half years. The 2020s have just come out along with a small-batch Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 – tasting notes and ratings as follows:

Bill Winshaw 2020
Price: R340
66% Cabernet Franc, 17% Cabernet Sauvignon and 17% Merlot. Red and black berries, some herbal lift and a hint of rose on the nose. The palate shows good fruit definition, fresh acidity and tightly packed tannins. Well balanced and not too weighty – alcohol is 14%. Total production: 2,000 bottles.

CE’s rating: 92/100.

Charles Winshaw 2020
Price: R340
63% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Cabernet Franc, 11% Merlot and 11% Malbec. The nose is currently shy – hints of cassis, violet and some leafiness. The palate is powerful and sleek – luscious fruit and bright acidity before a dry finish (alc: 14.5%). Total production: 2,400 bottles.

CE’s rating: 92/100.

Cabernet Sauvignon 2021
Price: R420
A special release from a single second-fill barrel – only 330 bottles made. Wonderfully aromatic with notes of red and black berries, floral perfume and herbs. The palate has real finesse about it – not so much delicate as pared back. Excellent fruit definition, fresh acidity and fine tannins that nevertheless provide a persistent finish. An elegant and refined wine that suggests a great future for the label.

CE’s rating: 95/100.

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