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BLANKbottle Autumn Equinox 2022

R310.01 inc. VAT
"This is a blend of Weisser Riesling, Semillon and Sauvignon blanc from Elgin DISCLAIMER: I am no activist and I don't belong to any kind of organisation. I pick grapes from everywhere and respect each area for its contribution to a specific wine. In this newsletter however, I’m focusing on what Elgin does well and exploring the possible relevance of the Autumn Equinox theory. The Autumn Equinox theory… The more I learn about farming and wine, the more I wonder how the olden-day farmers decided what to plant where. Nowadays, before planting, farmers make use of professionals who scan the soil and dissect and analyse the different soil layers, physically as well as chemically. They study topographical data and in some cases make use of satellites and even drones. They construct terroir models in order to understand… Viticulturists (like Jaco Engelbrecht who works for me on a consultancy basis) also map the great Grand Cru vineyards of Europe which enables them to compare our new sites to the greats of the world. All this is done with one goal in mind: figuring out what to plant where! Ultimately, however, they feed from decisions made in ancient times. Times when they got it right without satellites, drones and engineering surveyors. Times when they had time to observe… One such approach that was often used, is the Autumn Equinox theory. In the Northern Hemisphere the autumnal equinox falls on 22/23 September, as the sun crosses the celestial equator on its way south. In the Southern Hemisphere the Autumn equinox occurs on 20/21 March, when the sun moves back north across the equator - otherwise known as the “Harvest moon". Traditionally it marked the end of the harvest season, where they took stock of what was grown and gathered and gave thanks for what they had received. So their theory was very simple: plant whatever crop ripens a few days before, on, or after (basically as close as possible to) the Autumn Equinox. And that got me thinking about Elgin. During February and early March when the heat waves hit the Western Cape, grapes in Elgin are still green, with sugars around 16° Balling. The vines have plenty of energy to sustain the heat and by the time the heat waves have passed, moderate temperatures take the grapes through a mild, slow ripening phase. This enables the vines to produce fully ripe grapes. And then, on the Autumn Equinox, the grapes usually have a sugar content of 21 - 23° balling, which is when we pick. So today I decided to release a mixed case of ELGIN wines (including a brand new wine in our portfolio) - stuff that ripened on 23 March, 28 March and a blend with a average picking time at the Autumn Equinox" - Winemaker' notes

BLANKbottle Orbitofrontal Cortex 2023

R310.01 inc. VAT
"Twelve different grape varieties make up the blend here, produced by Pieter Walser using his conscious mind. (There was a one-off "unconscious" assemblage as well!) Clairette Blanche, Grenache Blanc, Marsanne and Roussanne are all important components, creating a complex, layered white with lime, pear, rose water and orange zest flavours, a nip of tannin and a lingering finish." - Tim Atkin MW

BLANKbottle Moment of Silence 2023

R205.00 inc. VAT
"One of the bigger production wines at BLANKbottle - we're talking 20,000 bottles, folks - this is a Rhône style Wellington blend of mostly Chenin Blanc with 25% Grenache Blanc and a splash of Viognier. Pear, citrus, quince and ginger flavours are complemented by old wood ageing and a refreshing mineral core." Tim Atkin MW

BLANKbottle Familiemoord 2023

R330.00 inc. VAT
"Family Murder - is one of Pieter Walser's most famous wines, based on a true story with a happy ending about mistaken identity. Made with Grenache from Braam Marais' farm in Piekenierskloof, it's a refined, layered, fynbos-scented red with graceful tannins, lots of zip and minerality and flavours of pomegranate, strawberry and rooibos tea." - Tim Atkin MW

Alheit Vineyards Hemelrand Vine Garden 2023.

R410.00 inc. VAT
"We had lovely moderate temperatures during the ripening season, punctuated by regular rain. The Chenin blanc in particular starting developing beautiful dry noblerot (botrytis) several days before picking. We always have some noble rot in Hemelrand, but the amount and the quality thereof in 2023 separates this vintage from all previous. The nose shows the classic stone fruit and exotic flavours that we expect from Vine Garden, but then there’s dried orange peel and apricot from the noble berries. The palate is full and quite powerful. The usual high acidity carries the whole wine to along, tapered finish." - The Winemaker's notes

Alheit Vineyards Hereafter Here 2023

R325.00 inc. VAT
"As with the 2022 wine, reasonably good yields meant that we had some old vineyard wine available to bolster the young vine fruit that this wine was created for. The wine is more subtle and more mellow in personality that previous vintages. It shows some yellow fruit and sweet herbs on the nose, quite pretty but not loud. The palate is savoury for a Chenin. It seems like a slow-moving deep-water swell of flavour that builds and falls in its own time. This wine will be a great companion at the dinner table." - Winemaker's notes

Newton Johnson Family Vineyards Falkirk Grenache 2021

R520.00 inc. VAT
"At just seven years of age, the vines are still young, but this Grenache suggests that the variety has a future in the Upper Hemel-en-Aarde Valley. Concentrated, grippy and sappy, it has savoury tannins, plum and redcurrant fruit and nicely understated oak" - Tim Atkin MW

BLANKbottle Brave 2021

R390.00 inc. VAT
Scared is what you feel, BRAVE is what you do 2021! This is a new wine. - Winemaker's notes

BLANKbottle Engelesig 2021

R390.00 inc. VAT
"This is a new wine, it is a Cab/Cab Franc from a little farm called Angles view, Helderberg - home to singer song writer Lesley Rae Dowling." -Winemaker's notes

BLANKbottle Pierre Le Cois 2021

R390.00 inc. VAT
"The X-factor - The PIERRE-LE-COIS-EFFECT as I call it. The guy and nowadays often, the girl in the bakkie. The eyes who look holistically at the big picture and apply knowledge and experience within the comfort of like minded wise minds - enabling the application of practices to guide these vines to the ultimate expression of themselves. Season upon season. " - Winemaker's notes

BLANKbottle Pseudonym 2022

R315.00 inc. VAT
"The kind of wine that would appeal to red Burgundy drinkers looking for a few cheaper alternatives to their favourite tipple, this ethereal, delicate, layered Cinsault comes from a 73-year-old vineyard in Darling. Fermented with 70% whole bunches, it's a refined delight, all red cherry, raspberry, pomegranate flavours underpinned by the grip and slight austerity of decomposed granite soils." - Tim Atkin MW

BLANKbottle Orbitofrontal Cortex 2022

R310.01 inc. VAT
BLANKbottle Orbitofrontal Cortex 2022, "The barrels I like", is how Pieter Walser describes the selection process for this Chenin Blanc and Verdelho based blend with 46% Clairette Blanche, Grenache Blanc, Marsanne, Roussanne and a soupçon of Viognier. Lightly skin fermented, it has top notes of wild flowers and wet stone, citrus, pear and grapefruit flavours and a finish that lingers on the palate. Delicious."- Tim Atkin MW

BLANKbottle “Retirement @ 65” 2022

R320.00 inc. VAT
"Retirement @ 65? Let's hope that's not in Pieter Walser's plans, so that he can go on making wines like this Darling assemblage of Cinsault with 44% Syrah. Fermented with around 50% whole bunches, this is "almost a field blend", with plum, bramble and red berry fruit, lots of zip and minerality and sinewy tannins." - Tim Atkin MW

BLANKbottle My Koffer 2022

R315.00 inc. VAT
"One of two remarkable Cinsaults in the BLANKbottle line up, My Köffer comes from a parcel of river stones in Breedekloof, picked in three stages to maximise complexity. Bolder and broader than Pseudonym, it has impressive concentration and depth, savoury tannins, some clove and pepper spices and layers of plum, strawberry and black cherry. Delicious." Tim Atkin MW

BLANKbottle Hinterhofkabuff 2022

R295.00 inc. VAT
"Sourced from the same grower as the Jan Niemand Riesling - this vineyard uses vertical shoot positioning - this has a little more weight, presence and concentration. Showing lots of extract and depth, it combines apple and lime flavours with a hint of peach and 5.27 grams of residual sugar." - Tim Atkin MW

BLANKbottle Empire 2021

R310.01 inc. VAT
"Called BLANKbottle Empire because all the grapes come from Stellenbosch, this is a medley of Cabernet Sauvignon with 29% Cabernet Franc and 14% Merlot. Mint and green tea aromas are a prelude to a palate of cassis, bramble and coffee bean and fine-boned tannins." - Tim Atkin MW

BLANKbottle B.I.G. 2020

R310.01 inc. VAT
"Seven sub-regions covering "the whole of South Africa" make up the blend of this ripe, fullbodied, pedal to the mettle cuvée of Cabernet Sauvignon with 5% Cabernet Franc. Rich but not lacking in acidity, it has mulberry, fig and tobacco flavours and a leafy undertone." - Tim Atkin MW

Colmant Cap Classique “Absolu” Zéro Dosage Non-Vintage

R839.99 inc. VAT
"Taut, linear, focused and appealingly bone dry, this all-Chardonnay Blanc de Blancs uses 16% "perpetual reserve" material dating back to 2006 and partial barrel fermentation of the base wine to create added complexity. Mouth-wateringly tangy and chiselled with salted lemon, biscuit and cashew flavours and thrilling palate length." - Tim Atkin MW