Creamy.Exuberant.Complex
“Superb.” - Neal Martin, 94 points
When we tasted the first vintage of this Chenin Blanc, we didn’t realise that what we were tasting was potential. It was good, very good, but with the release of their fourth vintage we’re no longer tasting potential, we are tasting the realisation of a fantastic project and I have no hesitation in stating that this is one of the finest Chenin Blancs ever to emerge from South Africa.
Brookdale may be a new kid on the block, but they have really hit the ground running. The wily Duncan Savage made the first 2 vintages, but Kiara Scott, a graduate of the Cape Winemakers’ Guild Protegé Programme, is now firmly in the driving seat and the quality just keeps getting better and better. The 2023 is a little broader than previous iterations, reflective of the sunny year, but it is still precision-tooled, with sleek contours and discreetly concentrated fruit framed by the most delicious accents of nutty, toasty oak. In that respect it has echoes of white Burgundy, animated as it is by a granitic minerality and zippy acidity, which feels more like internal ‘energy’ than simply low PH, yet its overall architecture is defiantly ‘old vine’ Cape Chenin, broadening on the palate to encompass orange orchard fruits, white pear and salted lime, before tapering slowly to a fine, focused finish. 13% alc. Certified Heritage Vineyards (South Africa's old-vine certification). Drink now-2032.
Press review:
Vinous: “The 2023 Chenin Blanc comes from vines planted in 1985 and aged for 11 months in 500-litre French oak and Stockinger foudres. This is very pure and expressive on the nose: white fruit, melted candle wax and light papaya that blossom in the glass. The palate is very well-balanced, with gorgeous texture, tensile from start to finish, with a bright, seductive apricot and clementine-driven finish that is nigh irresistible. Superb. Drink now-2040“ 94 points
Customer reviews:
”We are already one bottle into the Brookdale, delicious, I will definitely be back for more in the future.” - Mr. F. W.
“One of the top 2 whites I’ve had this year.” - Mr O. B.
“One of the Cape's greatest whites.” - Tim Atkin MW, 98 points
At the time of writing this, I think we might just have the two finest dry Semillons in the world in our cellars! Alongside the Old Vines Semillon from Patagonia made by Matias Riccitelli (click here), we now have Boekenhoutskloof’s Semillon 2023, which is a wine that joins the pantheon of great South African whites, alongside Palladius by Eben Sadie and Chris Alheit’s single vineyard cuvées (Nautical Dawn, Magnetic North, Fire by Night etc.). It’s made from Certified Heritage Vineyards, dating back as far as 1902, and is the sort of grandiose white that can live up to rich and complex dishes, like Lobster thermidor or Coquilles Saint-Jacques, thanks to its rich texture and its grand medley of flavours ranging from tangerines and lemon meringue to honeysuckle, vanilla and gun smoke. 13% alc. Drink now-2033.
Press review:
Tim Atkin MW: “ "Wow!". That sums up what I feel about the latest vintage of this stunning Semillon from three parcels in Franschhoek, planted in 1902, 1936 and 1942. One of the Cape's greatest whites, made by one of its most talented winemakers in Gottfried Mocke, it has aromas of saffron, lanolin and nutmeg, stylish 70% new wood, a touch of petrichor and aniseed and layers of citrus, lemongrass and gunflint. Drink now-2035.” 98 points
The Pouilly-Fuissé La Croix Vieilles Vignes 2022 is sourced from 80-year-old vines on very rare blue schist soils. It wafts from the glass with aromas of yellow orchard fruit, warm bread, vanilla pod, citrus zest and gentle baking spices. Full-bodied, satiny and layered, it's deep and concentrated, with lively acids and long, saline finish. 13% alc. Drink now-2030.
JancisRobinson.com: “From a single vineyard of 75-year-old vines grown on schist. Aged for 19 months on the lees in a mix of concrete eggs (15%) and old barrels of various sizes. Organic.
Mid-lemon colour with a slight haze. Much more breadth than the Valette Pouilly-Fuissé 2018 just tasted. A nose marked by lees and juicy orchard and stone fruit. The lees–fruit axis defines the palate in a rich, ripe texture. Lively acidity cuts through and holds on into the saline finish. An exuberant wine. Drink now-2029.” 16.5 points
“Barrel-fermented Semillon leads the way in this outstandingly good value white.” - Decanter, 93 points
“Will develop beautifully for quite likely a decade, which is pretty astonishing for a £15 wine.”- Tamlyn Currin for JancisRobinson.com
An astonishing value from South Africa, comprising 80% barrel-aged Semillon and 20% Sauvignon Blanc. The fruit quality here is outstanding for the price, the Sauvignon Blanc coming from the highest vineyard on the Simonsberg mountain and the Semillon sourced from old vines in Franschhoek. It has the grassy notes that you find in some of the great Constantia whites from the likes of Cape Point and Steenberg, but also the density and concentration found in ageworthy Franschhoek Semillon like Boekenhoutskloof, showing notes of lemongrass, greengage, blackcurrant leaf and ginger. It’s a wine that should appeal to fans of cool-climate Sauvignon Blanc, as well as fans of barrel-fermented white Bergerac. Match it with fragrant south-east Asian dishes, asparagus or white fish with dill, fennel or coriander. 12% alc. Drink now-2030.
Sustainably farmed
Vegan friendly
Press review:
Decanter: “Waxy, intense barrel-fermented Semillon leads the way in this outstandingly good value white, with the 20% unoaked (but long lees-aged) Sauvignon Blanc bringing aromatic zing and brightness. Exotic notes of coconut cream, lemongrass and pineapple complete the complex, food-friendly picture. Drink now-2032.” 93 points
JancisRobinson.com (previous vintage): “Lemongrass fragrance, and the smell of a long, lushly green lawn on a warm day after a summer rainstorm. If you've ever scooped out a teaspoon of passion fruit from its little purple shell just a few days too early, when it's practically spitting shards of acidity at you (while still tasting deliciously of passion fruit), then you'll get this wine. It's so addictively spiky and hissing green scalpels and pistol cracks of cordite that it takes a couple of gulps to notice the oak – a faint, hidden smudge of vanilla pod and cream behind the smoke screen, behind the sorrel screen. It's crackling with character and while bracingly drinkable right now (don't serve it too cold), I think this will be seriously good in a couple of years time and will develop beautifully for quite likely a decade, which is pretty astonishing for a £15 wine. Very Good Value. Drink now-2035.” 16.5++ points
Tim Atkin MW (previous vintage): “Wildeberg's white Bordeaux blend is always one of its finest wines, made with deftly assembled Semillon and 20% Sauvignon Blanc. The old vine concentration of the two Semillon blocks is very evident on the palate, giving richness and texture to the blend. Kelp, pink grapefruit and mineral acidity complete the picture. Drink now-2027.” 93 points
Customer comments:
“What a wine! Do you have any more? If so, I'll take another case. I'm sitting here shaking my head - bags of flavour and at a quaffing price!” - Mr. A.S.
“That Coterie is bloody lovely.” - Mr B.T.
“I have a bone to pick with you. Your write-up on the Coterie didn’t do it justice. It’s even better than your description!” - Mr V.G.
”Yum Yum!” - Mr. J. F.
“We’re enjoying this immensely.” - Ms. V. J.
”Just wanted to say THANK YOU for finding the Coterie and at such an unbelievable price. This has to be the best value white wine in the UK right now, simply delicious.” - Mr. K. A.
”This was extraordinary. Thanks so much for the tip.” - Mr. J.C.
"Tasted like a really good white Bordeaux - the semillon really came through. Amazing for £15" - Mr. X.
”Fabulous and definitely lived up to the billing, and everyone thoroughly enjoyed it.” - Mr. P. R.
”This wine is DELICIOUS, you don’t happen to have any more do you? “ - Mr. A. F.