Wolf & Woman new releases

Jolandie Fouché of Wolf & Woman has added two single-vineyard wines to her portfolio. The first is a Chenin Blanc called Always Present Often Invisible, from Olifants River district – her grandparents used to farm near Vanrhynsdorp and her childhood involved many a visit to see the spring wildflowers in that part of the world (hence the label); the second is a Syrah from a 0.5ha vineyard on a wheat farm near Darling that so enchanted her on visiting it that she couldn’t resist making a wine from it. Tasting notes and ratings as follows:   

Grenache Blanc 2023
Price: R280
A 50:50 blend of Piekenierskloof and Voor-Paardeberg grapes. Matured for eight months in older 500-litre barrels. Expressive aromatics of pear, peach, herbs, a hint of pineapple and a touch of reduction while the palate is robust with dense fruit, bright acidity and savoury wine. Alc: 13.2%.

CE’s rating: 95/100.

Chenin Blanc 2023
Price: R320
Grapes from four Swartland vineyards, planting dates ranging from 1968 to 1981. 70% from Paardeberg vineyards on granite, 30% from vineyards north-west of Malmesbury on iron-rich clay soils. Matured for 10 months in older 300- and 500-litre barrels. Pear, white peach, soft citrus, some yeasty complexity and a hint of reduction on the nose. Great fruit concentration, driving acidity and a pithy finish. A wine of both presence and poise. Alc: 13.3%.

CE’s rating: 96/100.

Always Present Often Invisible Chenin Blanc 2023
Price: R420
NEW. Grapes from Vredendal on sandy red soils. Pear, white peach, lime and potpourri. Light bodied with racy acidity and a slightly bitter finish. Elegant, understated and hugely appealing. Total production was a single barrel, equivalent to 560 bottles. Alc: 12.5%.

CE’s rating: 93/100.

Pinotage 2023
Price: R295
90% of grapes from a Paardeberg vineyard planted in 1973, 10% from a vineyard planted in 2006. 15% whole-bunch fermented. Matured for eight months in older barrels, two months in concrete tank. Red cherry, orange, potpourri, earth and spice on the nose while there is an intriguing interplay between sweet fruit and grippy tannins on the palate – rustic in the best sense. Alc: 12.8%.

CE’s rating: 93/100.

Syrah 2023
Price: R375
90% of grapes from north-west of Malmesbury on iron-rich clay soils, 10% from Kasteelberg on schist. 100% whole-bunch fermented. Red berries, lilies, fynbos, cured meat, white pepper and earth on the nose. The palate is medium bodied and nicely balanced – good fruit expression, fresh acidity and powdery tannins, the finish gently savoury. Alc: 13.4%.

CE’s rating: 94/100.

Glen Frank Syrah 2023
Price: R420
NEW. Grapes from a Darling vineyard, planted in 2008, south-facing and located 9km from the ocean on granite. Black berries, flowers, fynbos and some flinty reduction on the nose. The palate is light and lean with fresh acidity and fine-grained tannins. Pure and clean with a super-dry finish. Alc: 13.3%.

CE’s rating: 93/100.

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