Wolf & Woman new releases

Jolandie Fouché of Wolf & Woman describes the 2024 vintage as “a game of logistics” on account of being hot and fast-paced. She goes on to say that the result is “show-pony wines” in the sense of being particularly expressive. Tasting notes and ratings as follows:

Grenache Blanc 2024
Price: R310
50% of grapes from Piekenierskloof, 50% from Voor-Paardeberg. Matured for eight months in older 500-litre barrels. Subdued aromatics of white peach, dried herbs and a talcum-powder nuance. The palate is languid – good weight, slightly oily texture, moderate acidity and a gently savoury finish. Ripe but still composed, with just enough freshness to keep it on track. Alc: 13.3%.

CE’s rating: 92/100.

Chenin Blanc 2024
Price: R360
Grapes from four Swartland vineyards: three on granite soils in the Paardeberg and one on iron-rich soils northwest of Malmesbury, with plantings dating from 1976 to 1984. Matured for 10 months, 80% in old oak and 20% in concrete egg. Aromatics of quince, soft citrus and peach with a subtle flinty reduction. Rich and thick textured, tangy acidity lending balance, the finish gently savoury. Muscular in the sense of depth and concentration yet still vital. Alc: 13.2%.

CE’s rating: 93/100.

Always Present Often Invisible Chenin Blanc 2024
Price: R460
Grapes from a Vredendal vineyard planted in 1988 on sandstone. Matured for 10 months in old oak. Citrus and peach to the fore on the nose, with nuances of dried herbs, lanolin and a touch of earthiness. The palate is forceful and direct – dense fruit, seemingly big acidity, the finish bone-dry. An assertive, attention-commanding wine. Alc: 13.3%.

CE’s rating: 95/100.

Pinotage 2024
Price: R325
50% of grapes from Paardeberg, 50% from northwest of Malmesbury. 15% whole-bunch fermentation. Matured for 10 months in old oak. Notes of plum, cherry, fynbos, spice and earth on the nose. The palate shows dense fruit, moderate acidity and powdery tannins, the finish carrying a touch of bitterness that adds rather than detracts. Characterful and none too light. Alc: 13.1%.

CE’s rating: 93/100.

Syrah 2024
Price: R385
90% of grapes on iron-rich soils northwest of Malmesbury, 10% on Riebeekberg schist. 80% whole-bunch fermentation.  Matured for 10 months in old oak. The nose is restrained, opening with a touch of smoky reduction before revealing notes of red and black berries, olive, earth and spice. The palate is rich and flavourful, with lots of mid-palate, moderate acidity and fine, powdery tannins. While not exactly luscious, it certainly offers depth, the finish dry and satisfying. Alc: 13.4%.

CE’s rating: 92/100.

Glen Frank Syrah 2024
Price: R460
Grapes from a Darling vineyard on granite. 100% whole-bunch fermentation. Red berries, a certain herbal quality, white pepper and some flinty reduction on the nose. The palate is precise and vivid – pure fruit, snappy acidity and fine-grained tannins combine to great effect. Excellent structure and definition, the bone-dry finish reinforcing its sense of focus. Alc: 14%.

CE’s rating: 95/100.

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