2012 Boekenhoutskloof Semillon
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Tasting notes
(12.5% alcohol; blended with 5% Sauvignon Blanc; from three vineyards planted at low altitude in the valley, two of them more than 100 years old; aged for 13 months in all new French oak): Brilliant yellow-green. Sharply focused aromas of yellow fruits, white plum and dried herbs. Juicy, dry and classic, showing building pliancy and sweetness as it opens in the glass. Citrus peel and a waxy lanolin quality are complicated by sexy oak tones. Bone-dry at 1.3 g/l r.s., this Semillon should make a very flexible wine at the dinner table. Marc Kent noted that the estate is now picking earlier for more freshness.
Critic scores
Average Score
Jancis Robinson MW
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
More reviews and scores
Jean Smit started as winemaker in 2008. This is from one block of 5 ha of which half is already 112 years old. 2012 is 25% spontaneous fermentation (cf 2010 and 2001 which was 0%). One quarter in concrete eggs. Cool fermentation. Cool ageing in new barrels but also given tank and bottle age (they are suppressing MLF). No bâtonnage and low sulphur. They blend in 5% Sauvignon Blanc from the next vintage for acid and length. Quite a floral nose. Tight and green with some beeswax. Low acid. But good tension. (JR)