Name: 2023 Stark-Conde, The Field Blend, Jonkershoek Valley
SKU: hub-10390787-1-IB-STOCK-N
Availability: OutOfStock

Description

This wine is almost entirely barrel fermented, with a small portion being aged in concrete egg to add a component of body. We handled the wine as carefully and naturally as possible, giving it only a light fining and then bottling with minimal filtration. VINEYARD INFORMATION “This deliciously complex white is a barrel-fermented blend of 54% Roussanne, 30% Chenin Blanc, 9% Verdelho and 7% Viognier. All sourced from a single vineyard at the entrance of the Stark-Conde Oude Nektar farm in the Jonkershoek Valley ward in Stellenbosch, it is planted to a mix of varietals in order to match the complex mosaic of soil types found on this unique plot of land. This is a fabulously complex and characterful fine wine that pays homage to this ancient lost art of winemaking and serves to reinvigorate the entire White Blend category for which South Africa is undoubtedly a world leader.”

Additional information

Wine Type	White
Country	South Africa
Region	Western Cape
Subregion	Coastal Region
Vintage	2023
Brand	Stark-Conde
Cultivar	Rousanne, Verdelho, Viognier, Chenin Blanc
Bottle Size	75cl
Pack Size	1x75cl
Alcohol Percentage	13.00
Duty Status	In Bond
Availability	Immediate
Rating Agencies	Decanter, Greg Sherwood, JancisRobinson.com, Tim Atkin

Reviews

Tim Atkin 94

Located right next to the entrance, the 2.8-hectare block that’s the source of this wine is intriguing. The 2023 release is a cuvee of Roussanne, 30% Chenin Blanc, 20% Verdelho and 8% Viognier. Waxy, spicy, concentrated yet fresh, it has pear, citrus and peach skin flavours and added complexity from concrete egg, amphora and 10% new oak components. [Tim Atkin MW, 03/09/2024]

Anticipated maturity: 2024-2032

Decanter 95

[Decanter, 19/06/2024]

Greg Sherwood 94+

A perennial favourite in the Stark Conde white range, this impressive 2023 is a blend of 42% Roussanne, 30% Chenin Blanc, 20% Verdelho, and 8% Viognier. Fermented in neutral oak, the aromatics are stunningly pure and precise, boasting notes of dry summer hay, crunchy white pears, green apple, pithy white citrus, and complexing stony granitic mineral notes. On the palate the wine is strikingly fresh and intense, deliciously mouthwatering displaying a notable concentration of white peach and green pear fruits, with a beautifully crystalline purity, perfectly integrated tangy acids and a long, juicy finish. As with many field blend wines, the whole is simply greater than the sum of its parts, with each component marrying seamlessly to create a truly majestic, organically certified white blend. This is good to go on release but will certainly reward 3 to 5+ years of additional ageing in bottle. [Greg Sherwood MW, 01/03/2024]

JancisRobinson.com 16/20

Dusty, acacia-pollen nose; watercolour traces of honey, angelica, ginger, dill. A geometry of acidity and so salty it’s like rolling sea-glass pebbles in your mouth. Comes back to brisk, taut, tensile tektite-tumblestone apple and greengage. The leanest, hungriest, most austere of the Field Blends I’ve tasted. [Tamlyn Currin, 24/02/2024]

Producer Profile

From the highest vineyard site on the estate, this is a sensuous and expressive wine giving notes of black pepper, black tea and hints of charcoal. With some air notes of violets and black cherry evolve from the glass. A chewy, ripe and fleshy finish, this will age very well.