New Release | Boekenhoutskloof 2020
Based in the stunning Franschhoek valley, Boekenhoutskloof is going from strength to strength under talented winemaker Gottfried Mocke. Their 2020s impressed not just us, but also the leading critics. They are, “excellent and worth squirrelling away for 10 years or longer” says Jancis Robinson, while Matthew Jukes thinks: “These are wines you cannot live without”. Having tasted at the estate with Gottfried and again last week with founder Marc Kent in our offices, we too are bowled over by these brilliant wines and are very pleased to offer an old vine Sémillon, two smart Cabernet Sauvignons, and a beautifully perfumed Syrah, all at £170 per 6 bottles IB.
2020 Boekenhoutskloof Semillon - 6x75cl
- White
- 2022 - 2040
- Boekenhoutskloof
- 6x75cl
- Franschoek, South Africa
- Available Later
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Goedhuis, February 2023
The 2020 Sémillon from Boekenhoutskloof is absolutely knockout. We love its complex nose of fresh lemon, grapefruit, orange and white pear mixed with elderflower, jasmine, lemongrass, wet stone and lanolin. Fermentation in concrete eggs and a 14-month elevage in barrel gives a perfectly silken texture. The tension is superb, an electric acidity runs through the palate and lifts the sumptuous twists of marmalade, hazelnut and bergamot that wrap around the fresh fruit and fill the long enveloping finish. Drink 2023-2040.
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Neal Martin, August 2022, Score: 95
The 2020 Semillon Boekenhoutskloof comes from three parcels of old vines, one parcel planted in 1902 and an adjacent one in 1942 (50% of the blend) and includes a seasoning of Muscat d'Alexandria also planted in 1902 that is purposefully picked underripe. This is aged in 70% new oak. It has a wonderful, vivacious bouquet with honeysuckle, jasmine, lemon rind and lanolin. It's one of the finest Semillon aromatics that I have encountered. The palate has a vibrant, slightly flinty opening and a tiny reduction that according to winemaker Gottfried Mocke, ebbs after a couple of years (he opined this comes from the soils quarts content). Lovely tension here with lemon curd and peach skin notes towards the persistent finish. Superb. Drink 2024-2045. 95 points. Neal Martin, Vinous
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James Suckling, August 2022, Score: 93
Inviting aromas of beeswax, fresh mint, tea tree, sliced peaches and jasmine tea. Medium-bodied with silky texture. Fresh and bright with lovely, rounded citrus and stone fruit character. Mineral undertones to it all. Seamless and elegant. Drink or hold.
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Matthew Jukes, January 2023, Score: 99
Using three parcels of fruit from vineyards planted in 1902, 1936 and 1942 and employing concrete eggs and new barrels for discreet seasoning, this is a delicious wine and somewhat of a hedonistic treat. A dribble of early-picked, whole-bunch, amphora-fermented 120-year-old vine Muscat adds dramatic acid to offset the epic fruit notes in this mesmerising Semillon. I expected a more reserved nose and palate, but this vintage is surprisingly forward with generous lemon balm and nougat notes over a high tensile greengage and pineapple pith palate. Superbly classy from the first molecule to the last flavour memory, minutes later, despite its precocious air, the battery pack of acidity embedded in the core of this wine will power it for a decade with ease.
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Jancis Robinson, December 2022, Score: 18
Very pale. Completely different from the 2010 and the 2009. Much more obvious flintiness and a touch of struck match (more deliberate sulphides). Herbal, grapefruit, with the fine waxy texture of Sémillon even with all this freshness. It's the winemaking that marks the aroma at the moment. Super-smoky on the palate. Full and textured in the mouth, great length. Mouth-watering, powerful, elegant. Long and still embryonic. (JH) 13.5% Drink 2023-2033.
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Tim Atkin, August 2022, Score: 99
Boekenhoutskloof has always made impressive, age-worthy Semillons, but Gottfried Mocke has taken the 2020 to another level of complexity. It's one of the greatest ever Cape whites. Stony, flinty and layered, with wax, lemongrass and nutmeg flavours and subtle struck match reduction. Wow! Drink 2022-2030
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Platter's Wine Guide, August 2022, Score: 95
Delicate silver-gold hue, whiff smoke from partial barrel ferment , mostly wafts of oatmeal quince on waxy round 2020. Same linear persistence as 2019.
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