Wolf & Woman new releases

Jolandie Fouché left formal employment at Swartland property Kloovenburg at the end of the 2020 harvest to concentrate entirely on her own label Wolf & Woman (begun in 2018) and although volumes remain small at this stage – total production is just 10 500 bottles – her wines from the 2021 vintage are all of a very high standard. Tasting notes and ratings as follows:

Wolf & Woman Grenache Blanc 2021
Price: R235
Grapes from Voor Paardeberg. Expressive aromatics of citrus, apple and peach plus hints of herbs and floral perfume. The palate has good fruit concentration matched by tangy acidity, a saline quality to the finish. Stacks of flavour and just a little phenolic grip lending interest.

CE’s rating: 94/100.

Wolf & Woman Chenin Blanc 2021
Price: R265
70% of grapes from Paardeberg vineyards on granite and 30% iron-rich soils west of Malmesbury. A floral top note before citrus, peach, earth and some leesy complexity. The palate is super-concentrated – plenty of palate weight but equally no shortage of freshness and drive. Intensely flavoured with a deeply savoury finish. Wonderfully well realised.

CE’s ratiing: 96/100.

Wolf & Woman Pinotage 2021
Price: R245
Grapes from the Paardeberg – 90% from a 1973 vineyard and 10% from a 2000 vineyard. 15% whole-bunch fermentation. The nose is very attractive with notes of cherries, plums, floral perfume, herbs, earth and spice while the palate is medium bodied with a dense core of fruit, lemon-like acidity and pleasantly firm tannins.

CE’s rating: 93/100.

Wolf & Woman Syrah 2021
Price: TBC
New. 50% of grapes off iron-rich soils, 40% schist and 10% granite. 100% whole-bunch fermented. Compelling aromatics of red and black berries, olive, wild herbs and pepper while the palate has good fruit depth, bright acidity and tannins that are currently firm and somewhat unyielding but should recede with benefit over time. Striking in terms of how structured and tightly wound it is.

CE’s rating: 94/100.

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