CHENIN BLANC
2022 La Cosmica Swartland Tim Hillock
Grapes | Chenin Blanc |
Colour | White |
Origin | South Africa |
Village | Swartland |
ABV | 13% |
This year Tim's sensational Chenin has a new name as he felt it was lacking some personality - and he wanted it to make more sense alongside his Paradiso Syrah - Cosmica is from the Spanish for The Cosmos and refers to the panoramic view of the stars from the vineyard. A sight that Tim has fallen in love with after constant late-night and early-morning grape sampling with a headtorch. As the farm is so far from the nearest town it allows the most amazing star gazing. You can see the Milky Way and even some shooting stars if you care to look long enough. The vineyard and the winemaking is exactly the same as the winning 2021, but the vessel has changed slightly – just to a larger Stockinger foudre. The result is a hugely expressive, but fresh and long Chenin. Gently intense, with pretty hedgerow flowers, fresh-cut green herbs, waxy lemons and a nutty middle. Poised perfectly and fisninshing long and bright. L&S (Jun 2024)
Alternatively, we may well have some bottles in one of our shops - why not give us a call on 0207 244 0522 or send an email to: sales@leaandsandeman.co.uk.
Or, check the RELATED PRODUCTS below for different vintages or wines of a similar style.
Tim Hillock's refined Swartland Chenin Blanc uses grapes from an old-vine parcel on schist soils. Naturally fermented in Stockinger foudres, it's a fresh, precise, medium-bodied style with fennel, lemongrass and citrus peel flavours and thrilling minerality and palate length. 2023-28 Drinking range: 2023 - 2028 Rating: 94 Tim Atkin MW, www.timatkin.com (Sept 2023)
The 2022 La Cosmica Chenin Blanc, at 13% alcohol, exudes a blend of yellow apple skins, sweet citrus, wax melon rind, lemon pastry cream, fresh citrus blossoms and vanilla. Medium-bodied and balanced on the palate, the wine offers a soft nutty character while maintaining a fresh, food-friendly finish. A total of 2,964 bottles were produced. This Chenin Blanc was fermented and aged in a Stockinger foudre on the primary lees for 10 months. Drinking range: 2023 - 2033 Rating: 93 Anthony Mueller, The Wine Advocate (May 2024)
Fermented and aged in a Stockinger foudre on the lees for 10 months. Enticing nose – layers of citrus, nectarine and melon – rich but elegant. A very gentle green-herb character, and a touch of waxiness, too. An edge of vanilla-spice oak. Fresh, vibrant. Oak, lees and fruit length. Good presence and character on the palate Drinking range: 2024 - 2028 Rating: 16.5 Oliver Coleman, www.JancisRobinson.com (Nov 2024)
Tim Hillock
Tim trained at the University of Stellenbosch in viticulture and oenology with another of our new boys - Albert Van Niekerk. Having set up base at his uncle's beautiful farm in the heart of the Swartland, Tim shares cellar-space with some brilliant winemakers.
This is a fabulous microcosm of South Africa's incredibly collaborative wine scene today. Where independent, small-scale vignerons - young and old - work together, feeding off each other's experience and enthusiasm. Callie Louw from Porseleinberg and the towering Donovan Rall are neighbours and mentors here.
Tim is young, ambitious and talented and loves working alongside these highly respected winemakers. Tim's charm, enthusiasm and talent mean that he is already getting his hands on top-quality fruit from small parcels and contracting vineyards that make you swoon.
The aim here is to deliver expressive, fresh and nuanced wines that illustrate in the glass, the unique story of each site.
This means that in the cellar the wines are gently coaxed into life. Fermentations are spontaneous with no interventions, and Tim uses various vessels for the élevage including concrete, beautiful Stockinger casks and amphora too - depending on the variety and the vintage. Tim's vineyards are mostly Swartland, but he found the fresh climes of Ceres too hard to resist and also makes some Pinot Noir from fruit on this cool, high plain.
- For full delivery details see our Delivery page.
- We offer free nationwide* delivery for all orders over £150 with our own vans. We also offer an express delivery service for an additional charge.
- Order & Collect from any of our 5 London shops. Order by Midnight for collection the next working day from 11am.
- Private wine storage: we offer a full In Bond and Duty Paid private wine storage service - find out more here.
ORDER COLLECT
ORDER ONLINE AND COLLECT FROM ONE OF OUR SHOPS