Description
“Die Posman” otherwise known as “The Postman”.
This wine represents a friendship that spans 8000 miles, two continents, several years of laughs, braai’s (the South African equivalent of an American barbeque), banters, mutual respect and passion for creating and enjoying the best hand-made wine South Africa has to offer. The Postman delivers ‘on time’ First Class quality that celebrates our wonderful connection and passion for living the Lekker life.” (Lekker means ‘yummy’ in Dutch. But it applies to more than just food – it’s also a feeling)
The friendship noted is that of Andy Woolgar of Elephants Corner Wines and renowned wine maker Wynand Grobler of De Kleine Wijn Koop wines. Wynand, lovingly nicknamed Andy “The Postman” because he says that whenever he calls Andy, he is out making a wine delivery like a postman, hence the likeness of Andy and the post man featured on the label. Two versions of the ‘Die Posman’ are available, a white and a red. The white is a Grenache Blanc and the red a Carignan. Andy says that “The Carignan ‘black & white’ label features black bars that represent in Wynand’s mind, a jail cell as he insists my ‘indoor cats’ are being imprisoned in my house!
Producer Profile
De Kleine Wijn Koöp (the little wine co-op) started out as just a few good okes making awesome wines with cool labels, calling in winemaker friends to make each very limited-batch cuvée. Now in the talented hands of winemaker Wynand Grobler, the range has gained greater focus and direction without losing any of the original irreverence and adventure. Given Wynand’s experience in the valley, Franschhoek is becoming a bit of a calling card but like in the past the “little co-op” spreads its net far and wide seeking out great grapes across the beautiful and varied terroirs of the Cape winelands.
Reviews
JancisRobinson.com 17.5
Full bottle 1,350 g. 100% Carignan. 12 months in third- and fourth-fill 225-litre French oak barrels. Mint and strawberries on the nose. Strawberries and blood orange on the palate. The fruit floods the opening gambit but it’s the spice that builds and builds the spine of the wine: white-pepper cold heat to begin with; warm nutmeg unfurling into cinnamon sweetness; and then the back bite of Sichuan pepper and the forward crack of black pepper. And then they come together in this beautiful tress of fruit and spice. The tannins are transparent, sweet and feel like running your hand along driftwood. They frame the wine, with gentleness. Up there with some of the best Carignans I’ve tasted. I’d love to put this on a table of my favourite Roussillon Carignans, not as a competitor but as a worthy companion. GV (TC) 14% [Tamlyn Currin, 24/10/2024]
Anticipated maturity: 2024-2032
Greg Sherwood 93
This pure Carignan 2022 is sourced from a Voor-Paardeberg vineyard owned by grower Willie Mostert and forms the perfect red partner to Die Postman Grenache Blanc white made by Wynand. This 2022 is true to the variety with aromatics of green tobacco, iron fillings, dried herbs, leafy black plum, spicy black berries, wild strawberry and subtle nuances of bitter black chocolate, potting peat and a dusty crushed gravel minerality. On the palate, the wine is ripe and intense yet simultaneously weightlessly concentrated, showing a taut polished tannin profile, a vital acidity freshness, and a delicately smoky, herby, succulent raspberry fruited finish. Perfectly delicious to drink on its own, yet one just can t help feeling that this impressive example of Carignan would be perfectly matched with some tasty, chargrilled meats from the barbeque. Drink now and over the next 5 to 6+ years. [Greg Sherwood MW, 17/09/2024]
