Wolf & Woman new releases
By Christian Eedes, 25 May 2023
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Jolandie Fouché, previously of Kloovenburg, decided to concentrate exclusively on her own label called Wolf & Woman at the end of the 2020 harvest and she is quickly taking her place among the most exciting of the so-called new wave movement. Tasting notes and ratings for the 2022s as follows:
Wolf & Woman Grenache Blanc 2022
Price: R260
50% of grapes from Voor Paardeberg, 50% from Piekenierskloof. Matured for eight months in older 500-litre barrels. Attractive aromatics of blossom, hay, pear, peach and citrus with the palate has good depth of fruit, punchy acidity and a pithy finish. Great presence with layers of flavour – very rewarding to drink. Alc: 13.3%.
CE’s rating: 94/100.
Wolf & Woman Chenin Blanc 2022
Price: R280
70% of grapes from Paardeberg vineyards on granite and 30% iron-rich soils west of Malmesbury. Matured for 10 months in older 400- and 500-litre barrels. The nose shows peach and naartjie with some struck-match reduction, some leesy complexity and spice in the background. The palate is opulent – luscious fruit offset by tangy acidity, the finish gently savoury. Pleasantly smooth textured and intensely flavoured. Alc: 13.2%.
CE’s rating: 93/100.
Wolf & Woman Pinotage 2022
Price: R260
Grapes from a Paardeberg vineyard planted in 1973. 15% whole-bunch fermentation before maturation lasting 10 months in older 500-litre barrels. Gorgeous aromatics of rose, fynbos, cherry, cranberry and pomegranate. The palate is pure and vibrant – great fruit concentration, bright acidity and chalky tannins. Poised, energetic and just so pleasurable. Alc: 12.5%.
CE’s rating: 95/100.
Wolf & Woman Syrah 2022
Price: R350
90% of grapes from iron-rich soils west of Malmesbury and 10% from Kasteelber vineyards on schist. 100% whole-bunch fermentation before maturation lasting 10 months in 500-litre barrels. This is a wine with a lot going on with the nose showing an overtly peppery character to go with red and black berries, olive and fynbos. The palate is super-intense both of fruit density and overall flavour – a slight sweetness is offset by bright acidity while the tannins are fine-grained.
CE’s rating: 92/100.
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Kwispedoor | 25 May 2023
I had this 2022 Pinotage recently and it’s just delicious drinking. Gotta love the pleasure that Pinotage can deliver over a wide variety of styles!