Now in Stock: Damascene
Over the last few years winemaker Jean Smit has been getting on with making the Damascene range one of the best in the country, and a few weeks ago the new vintages were quietly released. Here are Christian Eedes of WineMag's tasting notes...
Damascene W.O. Swartland Chenin Blanc 2021: NEW. From Perdeberg vineyards on granite. Matured for 11 months in foudre and older oak. A flinty top note before pear, white peach and citrus plus hints of hay and oatmeal on the nose. The palate is supremely elegant and focused – pure fruit matched by a great line of acidty, the finish super-dry. CE’s rating: 96/100.
Damascene W.O. Stellenbosch Chenin Blanc 2021: Grapes from Bottelary vineyards featuring shale, greywacke and granite soils. Maturation as above. Very expressive aromatics of citrus and peach plus hints of honeysuckle and fynbos. The palate has a good core of fruit, zippy acidity and a pithy finish. Slightly more weight and texture than its counterpart above although describing it as “oily” is putting it too strongly. Layers of flavour. CE’s rating: 95/100.
Damascene Semillon 2021: From two Franschhoek vineyards, one planted in 1942 and the other in 1962. Maturation as above. Subtle aromatics of dried flowers, citrus, peach, blackcurrant, hay and some waxiness. Nice palate weight, slightly greasy texture and coated acidity. Well balanced with plenty of detail and a gently savoury finish. CE’s rating: 94/100.
Damascene W.O. Stellenbosch Syrah 2021: Grapes from three sites all on granite soils. 75% whole-bunch fermentation. Red and black berries, potpourri, cured meat and pepper on the nose while the palate shows good fruit density, fresh acidity and fine tannins. Great clarity and balance – seamlessly assembled. CE’s rating: 96/100.
Damascene W.O. Swartland Syrah 2021: Grapes from various Swartland sites featuring shale, schist, granite and ferricrete soils. 75% whole-bunch fermentation. Lavender, dark berries, olive, pepper and spice on the nose while the palate is wonderfully direct – lovely fruit purity and a great line of acidity before a finish that is long and very dry. CE’s rating: 96/100.
Damascene W.O. Cederberg Syrah 2021: From a high-lying vineyard on sandstone with underlying ferricrete. 45% whole-bunch fermentation. Top notes of flowers and herbs before blue and blackberries, ripe plum, earth, spice and some flinty reduction. The palate is rich, round and relatively smooth textured – good depth of fruit makes this the most luxurious of the three examples of Syrah. CE’s rating: 94/100.
Damascene Cabernet Franc 2021: From Bottelary vineyards on granite. The nose shows rose, red currant plus pretty and intriguing herbal notes while the palate is ethereal – light-bodied but not angular or attenuated. Great fruit purity and lively acidity before a finish that is long and dry but certainly not astringent. A precise wine but equally full of charm. Something of a revelation as to what can be achieved with this variety locally. CE’s rating: 96/100.
Damascene Cabernet Sauvignon 2020: Grapes from Vlottenburg, Helderberg and Bottelary. Matured for 11 months in barrel of which 60% was new before a further 11 months in foudre. Red and black berries, some leafiness, violets and oak spice on the nose. The palate has real presence without being too forceful – good fruit weight, bright acidity and tannins that are wonderfully powdery. Intense and deep, this is still very youthful and packed away. CE’s rating: 95/100.
Yes, we were lucky enough to get all of them, but our stash of the Damascene is tiny so be quick before they sell out!
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Have you ever heard about a great wine but could never find a bottle for yourself (to share with friends, of course)? Well, the team at Wine & Company do all the hard work for you! We visit wine farms and attend tastings to find, taste, and then stock wine from the smaller Estates and independent winemakers who buy grapes and produce outstanding wine under their own labels – much the same as the French negociants have been doing for centuries. Given that these winemakers make wine in such small quantities, sometimes just a single barrel, their wine will never be found on the shelves of the major retailers, but only in specialist shops like Wine & Company on High Street, Hermanus.
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