Caroline

Crunchy dried autumn leaves, vanilla biscuit and roasted stone fruit fragrance. Those nectarine, peach and apricot notes translate to the palate – rich, ripe and fleshy although although it remains and elegant, dry and refined mouthful. Acidity counterbalances that ripeness and warmth and there’s a pleasant chalky grip too. Complex, structured with delightful mouthfeel and texture. Beautiful integration of oak makes for a long, layered but sophisticated wine.

• Platters - 4 star

Caroline

Riebeeksrivier farm is situated on the slopes of the Kasteelberg, overlooking the Swartland towards iconic Table Mountain. Its unique terroir, especially the shale soils, expresses itself strongly in the wine with unique varietal characteristics. The vines for this blend are all planted on south facing slopes at elevations of 350 – 400m above sea level. The oldest Chenin Blanc bush vines were planted in 1987, and more recently a small parcel of Chenin Blanc was planted in 2013. The higher density plantings of Viognier (2009), Roussanne (2009) and Marsanne (2011/12) are all échalas trellised (each vine is trained on its own wooden stake).

The warmer regions, such as this were most severely affected by the continuing drought conditions in the Western Cape which resulted in extremely low yields of high quality fruit with great concentration and flavour.

• 4* - Platters

Caroline

The Riebeeksrivier farm is situated on the slopes of the Kasteelberg, overlooking the Swartland. Its unique terroir, especially the shale soils, expresses itself strongly in the wine with unique varietal characteristics. The Marsanne (2012/11), Roussanne (2009) and Viognier (2009) vineyards are trellised in the typical &halm Rhone style ("stok by paaltjie"), while the Chenin Blanc (1988) vineyard is bush vine.

The fruit was harvested by hand at optimal ripeness and transported to the cellar in small lug-boxes in refrigerated trucks. The grapes were whole bunch pressed and the juice settled overnight before fermentation separately in both stainless steel tanks and French oak barrels. The wine spent 8 months on the lees in French Oak (9% new) and stainless steel (59%) before being blended and bottled.

• 93 Points - Tim Atkin

• 4.5 Stars - Platter's

• Gold-Trophy - Old Mutual Trophy Wine Show 2020

Caroline

The Riebeeksrivier farm is situated on the slopes of the Kasteelberg, overlooking the Swartland. Its unique terroir, especially the shale soils, expresses itself strongly in the wine with unique varietal characteristics. The Marsanne (2012/11), Roussanne (2009) and Viognier (2009) vineyards are trellised in the typical &halm Rhone style ("stok by paaltjie"), while the Chenin blanc vineyard (1988) is bushvine.

The fruit was harvested by hand at optimal ripeness and transported to the cellar in small lug-boxes in refrigerated trucks. The grapes were whole-bunch pressed and the juice settled overnight before fermentation took place separately in both stainless steel tanks and French oak barrels. The wine spent 9 months on the lees in French oak (9% new) and stainless steel (58%) before being bottled in October.