TBD in late Summer or Fall of 2023

• This blended red sports 50% Alicante Bouschet/ 25% Syrah/ 25% Touriga Nacional that were aged 12 months in French and American oak barrels. The price-quality balance tips well in your favour with a $16.95 price-tag and a score of 92.

92
Carmim ‘Dissidente – Reguengos - Colheita Selecionada – Tinto’ 2021
DOC Alentejo, Portugal $16.95 15.0% alcohol
Alluring aromas of exotic spice, deep and brooding black fruit—plum, black currant, black cherry and notions of mulberry abound on the nose. A stream of palate flavours are balanced and beautiful with tang and pizzazz giving way to the ripe fruit and lengthy lip-smacking finish and mouth-watering aftertaste. Pour alongside a barbecued rack of lamb or pan-seared gourmet sausages. (Vic Harradine)

• This is an intriguing blend of 45% Alicante Bouschet/35% Aragonêz/20% Trincadeira that macerated for 15 days then was aged in French and American oak barrels for 12 months.

91
Carmim ‘Reguengos – Reserva – Tinto’ 2021
DOC Alentejo, Portugal $15.95 15.0% alcohol
Aromas of grilled savoury herbs and black Bing cherry meld nicely with freshly picked blueberries. It’s medium-weight with an underpinning of still-ripening tannin and a streak of noticeable acidity. A two to three-hour decant should improve its pairing with a spicy red pizza. (Vic Harradine)

• The following wine was sourced from predominantly Fairtrade certified Vineyards in the Swartland region with 100% Shiraz. Grapes are hand-harvested then fermented with select yeast strains and kept under 26 ° C. The wine was aged for 6 months using French and American oak.

93
Piekenierskloof Wine Company ‘Six Hats’ Shiraz 2021
WO Western Cape, South Africa $16.95 (21193) 13.5% alcohol
Pleasant aromas of lemon citrus, dark cherry/berry fruit and there is good balance throughout. The palate flavours are divine with ripe, dark cherry/berry fruit galore—blueberry, mulberry and Saskatoon berry along with black plum and dark German prune plum. It’s medium-full bodied and bursting with flavour from initial twist top to the last delicious drop on the finish and aftertaste. Pour with General Tso’s chicken or spicy Tikka Masala with Naan bread. (Vic Harradine)

• The following wine was sourced from predominantly Fairtrade certified Vineyards in the Swartland region with 100% Chenin Blanc A.K.A. Steen. Grapes are hand-harvested then fermented with select yeast strains and kept under 13 ° C. It appears no oak barrels were used with this wine.

95
Piekenierskloof Wine Company ‘Six Hats’ Chenin Blanc 2023
WO Western Cape, South Africa $16.95 13.0% alcohol.
This explodes with a plethora of dazzling aromas with pineapple, mango, floral notes and rosewater to the fore. Along with an exceptionally long lemon and lime citrus notes from the first to last drop. It’s medium-full weight and bursting with fruit flavour and delicate spice that reflects on the ripe, soft tannin and smooth and mellow finish and aftertaste. Pour alongside a sushi platter, or a charcuterie board or try a glass on its own, you won’t go wrong. (Vic Harradine)

• The following Unoaked Chardonnay wine was sourced from predominantly Fairtrade certified Vineyards in the Swartland region with 100% Chardonnay. The vineyards are meticulously farmed and managed to yield below 7 tons per hectare. Grapes are hand-harvested then fermented with select yeast strains and kept under 13 ° C. No oak barrels were used with this Chardonnay wine. The vineyards are meticulously farmed and managed to yield below 7 tons per hectare. Grapes are hand-harvested and cold-soaked for 24 hours.

91
Piekenierskloof Wine Company ‘Six Hats - Unoaked Chardonnay’ 2023
WO Western Cape, South Africa $14.95 13.0% alcohol
This Unoaked Chardonnay is sleek with plenty of delightful aromas—lemon pastille and passionfruit—with strong citrus flavours on the palate, finish and aftertaste—yellow Mirabelle plum, white nectarine and a lengthy streak of citrus tang and pizzazz. Give this a try with beer battered fish under a freshly squeezed lemon along with chips and malt vinegar. (Vic Harradine)

• The following pinotage is predominantly sourced from Fairtrade vineyards in Swartland that are trellised and 16 to 20 years of age. The vineyards are meticulously farmed and managed to yield below 7 tons per hectare. Fermentation is started with select yeast strains and is kept under 26 ° C. Malolactic fermentation is completed in tank then the wine matured for 6 months in French and American oak. This wine is somewhat special as it recognizes the people who made it by touting their hard work and also the work that they do for the community.

91
Piekenierskloof Wine Company ‘Six Hats’ Pinotage 2022
WO Western Cape, South Africa $14.95 13.5% alcohol
Grilled savoury herbs, campfire smoke and baking spice aromas are precursors to palate flavours of strong acidity that persist from the first sip to and through the lip-smacking finish and the mouth-watering aftertaste. This is medium-bodied with plenty of tang and pizzazz. Try pouring with gourmet sausages hot off the barbeque or pan-seared on an oven-top burner. The price tag is certainly attractive. (Vic Harradine)

• The following Heirloom White sourced its grapes from 45% chenin blanc/40% grenache blanc/15% viognier at 750 M above sea level some 50K north of Swartland off bush vines. Fermentation took place before being inoculated with select yeast strains before being fermented in 300 L French oak barrels with 15% new, 60% pre-loved 2nd fill and 25% pre-loved 3rd fill.

95
Piekenierskloof Wine Company ‘Heirloom White’ 2023
WO Piekenierskloof, South Africa $22.95 12.5% alcohol
Alluring aromas of baking spice, vanilla, ripe, juicy Bosc pear and plenty of orchard fruit with Mirabelle plum, golden delicious apple and tropical fruit—mango, pineapple and hints of honeydew melon round out the nose on this delightful Heirloom White. A river of palate flavours copy the aromas of tropical fruit, golden delicious apple along with a delectable streak of lemon/lime citrus delight. Pour alongside a tropical fruit bowl or a sushi platter or possibly a chorizo and prawn paella. The price-quality balance tips well in your favour; pick up an armful. (Vic Harradine)

• The following Chenin Blanc was sourced from vineyards in the Piekenierskloof region from dry land bush vineyards with harvesting taken place from middle to end of February, 2023. A small percentage – 15% of grapes - were hand-harvested in older French oak 300 L barrels for four months.

94
Piekenierskloof Wine Company Chenin Blanc 2023
WO Piekenierskloof, South Africa $19.95 12.5% alcohol
The aromas abound on the nose of this delicious chenin blanc. Look for floral notes decorated with ripe Bosc pear and a generous helping of buckwheat honey and aromas of mango. On the palate it dishes up a stream of delicious palate flavours with good balance between the ripe, soft tannin, the lovely palate flavours and the lip-smacking finish and aftertaste. Pour alongside steamed mussels or breaded and pan-seared calamari rings or a mixed sushi platter. (Vic Harradine)

• The following wine is a blend of 60% shiraz / 30% grenache noir / 10% mourvèdre that was sourced from old bush vines some 50K north of Swartland. The vineyards are meticulously farmed and managed to keep the yield below 5 tons per hectare while being hand-harvested in March. The wine was fermented at a controlled temperature for 8 days of 24 ° C then wood matured for 14 months in 40% new and 60% in 2nd fill and older 225 L French and American oak barrels.

95
Piekenierskloof Wine Company ‘Heirloom Red’ 2021
WO Piekenierskloof, South Africa $22.95 13.5% alcohol
Alluring aromas of sandalwood and dark cherry/berry fruit and notions of cassis also appear on the palate flavours. This is nicely balanced with soft, ripe tannin as an underpinning and an easily manageable tang that appears on the lip-smacking finish and mouth-watering after-taste. This is very delicious and full of flavour from ripe, dark cherry, bramble berry and oodles of tang and a car load of gorgeous, fresh fruit from their vineyards some 50K north of Swartland. Give this a go with General Tso’s chicken. (Vic Harradine)

• The following wine is a 100% cabernet sauvignon sourced from vineyards in the Piekenierskloof plateau region from non-irrigated bush vines that are meticulously managed to yield below 5 tons per hectare. In March, grapes were hand-picked and cold-soaked for 24 hours before being punched down on the cap 4 times a day and then pressed off to barrel for malolactic fermentation. The wine is racked for maturation of 14 months in 30% new and 70% 2nd fill and older 225L French oak barrels.

95
Piekenierskloof Wine Company Cabernet Sauvignon 2021
WO Piekenierskloof, South Africa $22.95 14.5% alcohol
Aromas of grilled savoury herbs and mocha are decorated by dark cherry/berry fruit and plenty of good mouth-feel on the palate with soft, ripe tannin and a delightful amount of tang and pizzazz that shows itself on the palate and on the finish and aftertaste. There is a sense of elegance and richness as it makes its way to the finish. Pour this alongside a barbequed rack of lamb or a prime cut of AAA beef that is 1 and 1 and ½ inches thick to be cooked on the Big Green Egg. Enjoy! (Vic Harradine)