Yardstick new releases

Adam Mason, formerly of Klein Constantia, Mulderbosch, and a very brief stint at DeMorgenzon, is re-launching his own label, Yardstick and wine lovers have every reason to celebrate his return.

YS Sauvignon Blanc 2025
Price: R205
From Constantia. Super-appealing aromatics of lime, grapefruit and subtle herbal notes in the background. Excellent fruit purity and fresh acidity before a pithy finish. Elegant, precise and far from trivial. Alc: 13.5%.

CE’s rating: 93/100.

Chardonnay 2024
Price: R250
From Stellenbosch and Lutzville. Barrel fermented and matured, 10% new. Citrus, floral perfume and a little oatmeal on the nose. The palate is light and understated – clean fruit and fresh acidity before a pithy finish. Alc: 12.5%.

CE’s rating: 91/100.

Pinot Noir 2023
Price: R250
From Paradyskloof. 10% whole-bunch fermentation, maturation lasting 10 months in older oak. The nose is quite shy with notes of red and black berries plus hints of both musk and earth. Medium bodied with fresh acidity and powdery tannins. Well balanced, seamless, gently savoury.

CE’s rating: 91/100.

Syrah 2023
Price: R250
From Paradyskloof. 10% whole-bunch fermentation. Matured in older oak. Violets and fynbos before black cherry and pepper on the nose while the palate is compact and polished with succulent fruit, fresh acidity and fine tannins, the finish nicely dry. Alc: 14%.

CE’s rating: 92/100.

Syrah 2024
Not yet released.
15% whole-bunch fermentation and a “lick” of new oak (10%). Aromas of red and black berries, intense floral perfume, and white pepper. The palate shows good fruit clarity, bright acidity, and fine tannins. Lighter than the 2023 (13.5% alc) but hardly insubstantial and well-balanced.

CE’s rating: 93/100.

YS Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot 2024
Price: R170
60% Raithby Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot. Matured in older barrels with staves and tank. Red and black berries, violets and some leafiness. The palate is denser than winemaking might suggest – juicy, clean fruit, fresh acidity and fine tannins. “Gluggable” sums it up perfectly

CE’s rating: 92/100.

À Gauche 2023
Price: R330
À Gauche, meaning “left” in French, a nod to the left bank of Bordeaux’s Gironde estuary. A blend of 60% Raithby Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc, and 10% Petit Verdot, all from Upper Blaauwklippen, matured for 20 months in older oak.

The nose shows red and black berries, a touch of leafiness, and delicate floral perfume. The palate is poised and precise – well-structured yet medium-bodied, with fresh, vibrant fruit and nicely grippy tannins. The finish is long and properly dry. Alc: 14.5%.

CE’s rating: 95/100.

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