2017 Hazendal, Artist Series, Cap Classique
Western Cape,South Africa,
£350.00
Bottle size: 75cl,
In stock
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Immediately attractive with a punchy label designed by South African artist Athi-Patra Ruga, the first in the Stel- lenbosch estate’s ‘limited-edition artist series’. The vi- brant packaging hints to the bottle’s energetic contents. An intense, charged nose of lemon blossom, lime, cara- melised ginger spooling into butter and biscuits from seven years on the lees. From chardonnay, and 38% pinot noir, the latter adding brushstrokes of red apple, plum skin to the aromatic tones. The palate is fresh, focused and beautifully dry; disgorged in 2024 with zero dosage, the long-lees ageing imbues all the necessary richness, as well as shapes a fine, well-integrated bubble. Tapering to a bone-dry, precise finish, a rush of clementine, citrus fruit resonates in its echo. Fresh, with plenty more tertiary de- velopment to come this will age gracefully for a number of years.
Description
In a limited-edition of only 1500 bottles worldwide, the label was created for the Hazendal Prestige Brut Cap Classique of the 2017 harvest. The wine is an elegant blend of 62% chardonnay and 38% pinot noir made from the estate’s grapes, held for seven years on the lees and degorged with zero dosage in 2024.
Set within a hand-crafted African pine chest and accompanied by a curatorial booklet, The Artist Series | Limited Edition bottle is a nuanced harmonisation between important art and exceptional wine. A leading voice in South African wine writing, Malu Lambert notes that “the vibrant packaging hints to the bottle’s energetic contents” and gave the Cap Classique a splendid 94/100 score, with international critics echoing the review.
Tasting Notes
Greg Sherwood 95+
This is a wonderfully classical Cap Classique cuvee made up of 62% Chardonnay and 38% Pinot Noir assembled by Clarice Langeveld, the previous winemaker at Hazendal for 8 years, and was disgorged in 2024 after 7 years on its lees with zero dosage added. The aromatics are enticingly inviting showing notes of herbal tea spices, bouquet garni, lemon peel, brine, and a maritime salinity on the nose. The palate shows great intensity too with sweet lemon cordial nuances, hints of lemon grass spice, and a full intense mid palate before a broad, rich, creamy mousse coats the mouth, displaying ample power with a definite poise and sophistication. The finish is tightly packed with tarte tatin, caramelised apple and fig notes, with a pure but delicately sweet fruited length. Beautiful harmony and balance marry seamlessly with a complex autolytic character. This is certainly top-notch fizz by anyone s standards. Drink on release and savour over the next 8 to 10 years. [Greg Sherwood MW, 13/12/2024]
JancisRobinson.com 18.5
Quite possibly the most champagne-like Cap Classique I ve ever tasted. Hold the glass to your nose and for a moment it s the smell of focaccia straight out the oven: rosemary and bread and the scent of golden glistening pools of buttery oil. And then it shifts. It s the smell of honeysuckle. Then lemon balm. Lemongrass. The bubbles rush in and then pull back: salty, foam and hiss, like waves of the ocean on a wide, white-sand beach. Bubbles like lazy lace looping long liquorice lines along the stretch of space. Lemon, smoke and candles. It has power and richness but also immense restraint. This would not disgrace itself in a blind line-up with vintage Krug and some other pretty iconic vintage champagnes. It is stunning. [Tamlyn Currin, 01/12/2024]
