(2026) A traditional method sparkling wine made from Pinot Blanc and Pinot Noir, farmed biodynamically I believe, though not certified. It pours with quite a dense mousse, and aromas that mix golden delicious apple and lemon sherbet. It's a bright and vivacious style, though there is a hint of biscuity creaminess that carries to the palate. It is quite a cool and decisive style though, lemony, pithy acidity keeping it bone dry in a mouthwatering aperitif style.
(2026) Ken's multi-vintage 'solera' blend of Chenin's from the ancient vines of Piekenierskloof is always a fabulous wine and edition #5 is no exception. Raised in old, 400-litre French oak barrels, it's a blend of wines from 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021. Delicious barrel character that is oatmeally, rich, the nose showing glacé fruits and a hint of mint. So delicious with bright, biting green apple, more spice and a long, shimmering finish. A cracking wine that you can confidently age for a decade.
(2022) This is made by Viña Ventisquero who are based in Maipo, but the 'Kalfu' labelling indicates that this range comes from their vineyards in the more northerly, coastal Leyda Valley, more recently put on the map for its Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and other cooler climate varieties. It's a Pinot from granite soils, matured in oak barrels - 10% new barrels - for 12 months. It wears its cooler climate credentials aromatically, with herbs and beetroot notes to savoury red fruit. In the mouth the sweetness and ripeness of the fruit does emerge, but it maintains that savoury, roasted chestnut and herb-touched sense of cool. Acids are bright and cherry-ripe, and tannins smooth and chocolaty, in a wine that will complement well-roasted poultry, but could take on beef too.
(2021) Vine grower Bernard Smart is the charming man, featured riding on his tractor on the label. Giles says he was selling his fruit to local families for home winemaking because there were no commercial buyers, even though a beautiful vineyard with vines up to 100 years old. 20% whole bunches and aged in 300-litre french barrels, 25% new. Much deeper and more violet in colour than some, perfumed, a touch of lipstick and vinous, keen red fruits are firm. Very firm on the palate too - a much more obvious tannin than in some, but retains its charm, brightness and the inherent fruit concentration and sweetness comes through beautifully.
(2015) Wow, hugely lifted with masses of wax and some petrol, fabulous stony minerality, bone dry but zingy fresh. Fabulous.
