DAMASCENE
2023 Chenin Blanc Swartland
A bright and lively white that has notes of sliced pears, yellow apples, chamomile and minerals. It’s medium- to full-bodied with gentle phenolics and steely tension underneath. Drink now or hold. Rating: 93 James Suckling, www.jamessuckling.com (Nov 2024)
In Bond
75cl bottles (case of 6)
* This is a pre-shipment/primeur offer. All orders are accepted under the TERMS of this offer which differ from the terms of the rest of the site.
Made from Chenin Blanc grown on the Paardeberg by Adi Badenhorst and from two vineyards next to Eben Sadie, planted 1971 and 1979. Vinified with whole clusters separately, followed by oxidative must handling. Fermented warm at 20-22c in 1000 litre foudre with malo prevented by chilling. Aged on its gross lees with no racking and without stirring at 6c for 10 to 11 months before going into concrete prior to bottling. It shows lifted aromatics of wet hay, orange peel, peach and apricot, notes of melon and bruised yellow orchard fruits with hints of tropicality under a veil of granitic minerality. The palate shows punchy concentration and a fleshy intensity, a fine savoury depth together with a glycerol mouthfeel and a classic, flinty wet stone minerality on the finish. Rating: 96 Greg Sherwood MW (Nov 2024)
The 2023 Chenin Blanc Swartland comes from vines planted on granite soils in 1979 and 1983, matured for 11 months in 1,000-liter oval foudres. Sulphur is only added before bottling. This has a well-defined bouquet that’s perhaps a little more mineral-driven than the previous vintage. The palate is nicely balanced with a slightly creamy feel on the opening. There is plenty of texture here and a touch of bitter lemon on the finish. Very fine. Drinking range: 2024 - 2034 Rating: 91 Neal Martin, www.vinous.com (Sept 2024)
Damascene
Damascene is a seriously exciting new find for us in South Africa. Their maiden vintage here was 2018 and we were blown away by the results. 2019, their second vintage was sold out on release, read the press release HERE.
The highly acclaimed Jean Smit, previously winemaker at Boekenhoutskloof, has teamed up with David Curl, former owner of Bordeaux’s Chateau Gaby.
Their goal is to explore all across the South African winelands in search of exceptional sites. Sites that deliver an important moment of insight, and hence the name of the project. A Damascene moment of clarity, where we can all understand the greatness of these small, prized plots.
The vineyards are old and well established but small, so each of these brilliant wines is only released in very small quantities. We urge you to catch them while you can.