(2017) I've reviewed several of the premium 'Ghost Corner' wines of winemaker David Nieuwoudt in the past, but fewer from his Cederberg project in a remote, high-altitude region where few others make wine. It's a fresh and vibrant style of Sauvignon, very pale in colour but with nettle and asparagus as well as peachy fruit. In the mouth it punches through in nervy, dry style, lots of mineral salts and lemon, just tempered by that hint of peachiness, but all about the steely clarity of the finish.
(2017) Maybe it's the cool of the high altitude vineyards, but there's a touch of the Sauvignon Blancs about this Chenin, certainly exotic fruit and gooseberry notes, as well as a more expected apple and light lanolin quality. A blast of tangy pink grapefruit reverberates across the palate, a great core of acidity punching through, some melon skin and lime peel bite and texture, and a long, dry finish of some style.
(2012) More restrained, but still has vivacious punch and some of those herbal aromatics. A little bit pear droppy and cold-ferment character.
(2012) A serious, range-topping Shiraz from the coastal region of Cederberg, this wine is aged in mostly French oak from Nevers and Alliers, around 70% of which is new. It is an immediately powerful and concentrated wine suffused with smoke and rich black fruit, but there's a little cooler, herby and green olive note too that gives lovely earthy authenticity and a savoury appeal. On the palate it is concentrated and muscular, the rich, ripe fruit layered with pepper and meaty, spicy notes, with plenty of chicory-like tannin and acidity adding more tension and drama. Terrific.
