Sophisticated wines from the Cape of Good Hope
One of the most celebrated of all South African wineries and surrounded by some of the Cape of Good Hope’s most beautiful countryside and nature reserves, the Boekenhoutskloof Winery was established in 1776 in a remote corner of the Franschhoek Valley, in the Western Cape.
With a history that saw gradual expansion in the late 18th century, the estate‘s reputation as a producer of truly great wines began in the 1990s when it was rescued from dereliction by a consortium of new owners who saw the potential and invested in new plantings of varietals such as Cabernet Sauvignon.
The new commitment and investment led to the production and subsequent refinement of a collection of iconic labels including the signature and multi-award-winning Boekenhoutskloof range, the delightful The Wolftrap and the iconic Chocolate Block.
The driving force at Boekenhoutskloof Winery has been acclaimed winemaker Marc Kent. Born on the Natal South Coast, Kent moved with his family to the Cape, where the passionate interest of friends in the wine industry not only inspired him to study Cellar Technology at Elsenburg College, but, together with his own regard for the French winemaking tradition, laid the foundation for his own style and philosophy of winemaking.
Today he has a reputation as a maverick but with an unswerving commitment to achieving the highest quality wines at a reasonable price. Best known for his Syrah and Cabernet red wines he also crafts some stunning Semillon.
The 2016 Vintage
Due to the looming drought conditions, the 2016 yields were much lower than usual, resulting in higher berry concentration and healthier grapes.
Boekenhoutskloof Franschhoek Cabernet Sauvignon
Deep ruby-garnet in colour the wine offers an abundance of blackberry and blueberry with subtle traces of tobacco spiciness, which leads effortlessly to a rounded palate bursting with rich flavours like crème de cassis and blackcurrant. The finish is lengthy, smooth and complex with liquorice, fennel bulb and exotic spices.
A delightful social wine for those who prefer hearty reds or equally perfect when paired with rich dishes like braised duck or beef bourguignon. Drink now or lay down for a few years.
Boekenhoutskloof Syrah
The complex nose offers a compote of dark berry fruit, black olives, perfume and spice. Deep ruby red colour with a complex aroma of dark berries and violets. The palate is full and rounded with intense notes of allspice, liquorice and black pepper. With integrated acidity and firm, fine-grained tannins to balance and a spicy enduring finish with hints of cloves, nutmeg and cardamom.
Savoury, almost Rhône-like in style it is another approachable social wine and one ideal to pair with a simple high-quality char-grilled steak.
Boekenhoutskloof Semillon
A full-bodied dry white wine with integrated acidity and a delicate nose of grapefruit, greengage, chamomile and apple blossom aromas along with a hint of spice. On the palate peach, poached pear and nectarine mesh against a backdrop of fresh mandarin and green fig. While the spicy finish hints of fenugreek and black cardamom creating and enjoyable and well-balanced wine.
Works well with most shellfish, pork, veal and chicken dishes or pasta with cream sauces. It’s also excellent as a foil for spicy local specialities like ikan balado.
The Wolftrap White
An intriguing blend The Wolftrap white is clean and fresh on the nose with aromas of green apple, white peach and quince complemented by acacia blossom, ginger and preserved lemon. With slight oak nuances nectarine, apricot kernel, bruised apple and green almond prevail in the mouth, the wine is balanced and approachable and finishes with hints of white pepper, tarragon and lingering tangerine.
A terrific party wine, it also pairs well with pork, salmon, shellfish, fruity desserts and spicy dishes like chili crab nasi goreng.
