Wine Advisor
Boekenhoutskloof, Semillon 2017
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Description
Tasting notes
Reviewed by: Anthony Mueller
The nose of the 2017 Semillon has a soft mineral edge to the citrus blossom and hints of pineapple, and it's leesy and pleasurable, with complex aromatics of cheese rind, blanched almonds and pineapple blossoms. The palate has a rich texture with a firm mouthfeel, while the oak and concrete egg fermenters add to the depth and complexity of the wine. The medium to long finish is bright and zippy, leaving the palate clean and showing a focused structure that is in balance. 12,000 bottles were made to tell the story of the old vines of the Franschhoek Valley.
Reviewed by: Neal Martin
The 2017 Sémillon, which has a 3% splash of Muscat of Alexandria, is made with an oxidative winemaking approach. It has a neutral nose, one where I would have liked more Sémillon character to poke through even at this early stage. The palate shows much more potential, presenting lovely lemon curd, toffee apple and white chocolate notes. The acidity is nicely judged, although that toffee note makes me wonder exactly how this will age. A second bottle showed less conspicuous toffee-ish notes and was much more in line with how I expect the wine to show. My score is based on this bottle.
About the Producer
Boekenhoutskloof was established in 1776. Located in the furthest corner of the beautiful Franschhoek valley, the farm’s name means “ravine of the Boekenhout” (pronounced Book-n-Howed). Boekenhout is an indigenous Cape Beech tree greatly prized for furniture making. In 1993 the farm and homestead was bought and restored and a new vineyard planting programme was established that now includes Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Grenache, Semillon, and Viognier. Boekenhoutskloof is a Syrah specialist, with its premium Boekenhoutskloof range selling out on release each vintage, and The Chocolate Block – a Syrah based blend – is probably the most successful new wine offering to come out of South Africa in the modern era. The Wolftrap brand of blended Rhone-style wines was inspired by the pioneering spirit of the early settlers who built what is now a monument to their adventurous spirit. A maverick spirit, Boekenhoutskloof’s Managing Partner & Technical Director Marc Kent is the driving force behind the various brands and properties within the Boekenhoutskloof stable. He is unafraid to experiment with the unconventional – however, his principal commitment is to quality on every level and in every detail. Marc is as committed to the continued development and growth of Boekenhoutskloof as he is to the greater South African wine industry. He has been actively involved in the Franschhoek Wine Valley Tourism Association as a Board member since its inception and has chaired the Vignerons de Franschhoek on numerous occasions.
