Description
CELLAR INFORMATION A celebration of the lost art of field blend winemaking; 16 white varietals were planted as bush vines on decomposed shale and granite. The grapes were picked on ‘gut feel’ due to the variability of the grapes. The fruit was pre-cooled and whole-bunch pressed before spontaneous fermentation and partial malolactic fermentation. The wine was barrelfermented, aged in old 500L French oak barrels for 1 year prior to bottling and spent 4 months in bottle before release. VINEYARD INFORMATION
Reviews
Tim Atkin 93
[Tim Atkin, 01/01/2023]
Greg Sherwood 94
The aromatics are classical yet ever so slightly exotic all at once with a pronounced dusty granitic minerality fading into dried baking herbs, sage, jasmine, dried stable straw, desiccated coconut and acacia honey on warm buttered white toast. The palate is silky, crystalline, fresh and lithe with plenty of front palate peach, apricot, honied fruit concentration on the entry before the wine s gravelly minerality reasserts itself again to offer a complex liquid minerality with appealing wet river pebble nuances. Such a wonderfully considered and intricate wine in its maiden release with a beautiful green apple, nectarine and stone fruit depth, harmonious glycerol waves of texture and an impressive resinous fine wine palate breadth. Drink this on release or watch it evolve in unknown directions over the next 6 to 8+ years. – Greg Sherwood MW. [Greg Sherwood, 01/01/2023]
Decanter 93
The aromatics are classical yet ever so slightly exotic all at once with a pronounced dusty granitic minerality fading into dried baking herbs, sage, jasmine, dried stable straw, desiccated coconut and acacia honey on warm buttered white toast. The palate is silky, crystalline, fresh and lithe with plenty of front palate peach, apricot, honied fruit concentration on the entry before the wine s gravelly minerality reasserts itself again to offer a complex liquid minerality with appealing wet river pebble nuances. Such a wonderfully considered and intricate wine in its maiden release with a beautiful green apple, nectarine and stone fruit depth, harmonious glycerol waves of texture and an impressive resinous fine wine palate breadth. Drink this on release or watch it evolve in unknown directions over the next 6 to 8+ years. – Greg Sherwood MW. [Decanter, 01/01/2023]
JancisRobinson.com 87.5
[Jancis Robinson, 01/01/2023]
Producer Profile
INTRODUCTION
The Brookdale Estate, situated at the foot of the lofty Du Toitskloof Pass in Paarl, is a very impressive boutique winery owned by Englishman Tim Rudd and is planted with not only 25+ year old Chenin Blanc vines but also several other special Chenin Blanc blocks that are now over 35 years old and certified under the Old Vine Project as Heritage Vines.
