Wine Advisor
Boekenhoutskloof, Semillon 2020
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Description
Tasting notes
Reviewed by: Neal Martin
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.
Reviewed by: Anthony Mueller
The 2020 Semillon, with a splash of 2% Muscat d'Alexandrie, displays a reduction in the nose, with nutty and oaky elements alongside leafy and weedy aromas, accompanied by lemon zest. This wine will require several years to reach its full potential, needing time to evolve. It's recommended to cellar this bottle and forget about it for at least half a decade. Similar to the Hunter Valley Semillon style, this wine is ideal for those who appreciate its distinctive reductive characteristics. After the wine aged for 14 months, with 70% in new French oak, 14,060 bottles were filled. This is a worthy addition to any collection.
Reviewed by: Neal Martin
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.
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.
