Description
Region
Historically, the Swartland was never considered to be a premium wine region and therefore evolved slower than the well-known regions of SA. Farming remained traditional with many old fashioned
varieties and old dry-land bush vines still in production. Chenin blanc, or Steen, is still the most important variety in the Swartland delivering wines of outstanding character and quality.
Grapes and Vineyards
Four vineyards with an average age of 40 years are used. All from granite-derived soils within a small mountain valley. Some are bush vines, some are cordon trained, some irrigated, some dry land farmed. Hand-harvested and vinified separately. The grape’s flavours are intense and well textured but acidity is the key to create a well-balanced wine in typically warm Swartland conditions.
Vinification
The grapes were gently whole-bunch pressed and naturally fermented with wild yeast in old French oak barrels. This ensures a terroir-driven
expression of flavour. The wine remained untouched for a further 10 months on its gross lees where it becomes naturally stable and flavour
complexity reaches a height. Bottled without fining and a very light filtration. Sulphites are kept low but the integrity of the wine is kept in mind for further aging in bottle.
Tasting Notes
Greg Sherwood 94+
With so many 2025 wines coming on to the market already, this merely serves to differentiate the 2024 vintage Swartland wines all the more, after the region saw a beautifully wet, rain soaked winter to top up the ground water reserves. This Chenin Blanc from Jasper carries all the archetypal 2024 characteristics with a cool, linear, crystalline aromatics layered with white peach, dusty straw bales, yellow apples and delicate Granitic mineral nuances. The palate is incredibly pure, crystalline and precise, the texture steely, bright, and fresh with an underlying purity and clarity. This is Jasper making a very precise wine, elegant, linear and beautifully delicious. Medium bodied but very light on its feet, fresh, energetic and mouth watering, this wine will make a lot of new friends. Real class. Drink now to 2034+. [Greg Sherwood MW, 21/09/2026]
JancisRobinson.com 17
Fruit from four vineyards with an average age of 40 years, all on granite-based soils within a small mountain valley. Some vines are bush vines, some are cordon trained, some irrigated, some dry-farmed. Hand-picked and vinified separately. Spontaneous fermentation in old French oak barrels. Not for the first time, Jasper Wickens Chenin reminds me of Chablis on the nose. I think it s that deft weft-and-warp of honey and roasted oats, of aromatic dried citrus peel and the cool-sweet dank of underground chalk walls. But it s Chenin on the palate – Chablis doesn t shift and shimmer with the lustre of this wine. Dusty, creamy, Baharat spicy, dried peaches and bruised pears. Bay-leaf fragrance. I love the taut, super-fine line of bitter almond on the finish, and then, when that s gone, a cloud of jasmine. Tamlyn Currin [Tamlyn Currin, 07/08/2026]
