Tasting Notes
James Suckling 99
Concentrated aromas of dried apricots, pineapple, caramel and honey. It s full-bodied with a dense, intense finish, showing spices, limes, dried fruit and some toffee. Very sweet but balanced and fresh. A triumph for this South African estate. One of the best ever. Drink or hold.
Jane Anson 100
As ever, this is just pure pleasure, and full of grace, apricot puree, intense and concentrated, with the most beautiful balance of citrus, grilled pineapple, truffle, fennel, uplift and joy. Matthew Day winemaker, 90ha estate, 18 months in 50% new 500L Hungarian and French oak barrels, followed by 16 months in large oak casks, 162g/l residual sugar.
Anticipated maturity: 2026-2032
The Drinks Business 98
This is made from roughly 10% of botrytised grapes for only the 4th time in its history. There s a little less residual sugar (but actually the 2022 was only 6 g/litre higher). Effusive and engaging yet elegant and beguiling – and distinctly nuttier than the 2022 from the botrytis. Peach stone, nectarine, white pear flesh, a little fresh and confit ginger, nougat, angelica, confit fruits and figs. I love too the burnt caramel with its lovely bitterness and grip. The fleshy pear notes provide the focus on the palate. A wine of grace and poise and charm despite the considerable concentration and of wondrous very vibrant freshness. Excellent. Pear belle Helene on the finish. Lovely. Very different from the preceding vintage, but just as good. So sapid and saline on the aftertaste.
