- 100% Chenin Blanc
- Sourced from two plots in the Swartland: one hilltop site on the NW extreme of the Paardeberg, planted in 2 phases: 1971 & 1979, and the second vineyard, Jakkalsfontein, was established in 1983, on a north-facing slope.
- Decomposed granite, laid over a clay-rich subsoils
- Hand harvested
- Each block was fermented separately with indigenous yeast and matured separately in 1000L oval-shaped Austrian oak foudres, followed by 11 months of sur lie maturation
- No malo and no battonage
Info
Producer:
Vintage:
2023
Country:
South Africa
Region:
Western Cape
Appellation:
Swartland
Variety:
Chenin Blanc
Color:
White
Farming Practice:
Sustainable
Sizes Available
| Full Bottle | ZA-DAM-10-23 | 6/750ml |
Resources
Press & Reviews
Wine Advocate
Score
96
Date
2025-06-05
"This is a gorgeous wine, luminous and proud. The Damascene 2023 Swartland Chenin Blanc (with 2,970 bottles created) opens to a linear presentation based on sweet citrus, bergamot and honeydew melon. The focus of the wine is intense, and it remains elegant throughout with a medium build and salty or mineral nuances to close. At the end of a day of wine tasting in my office, I choose my favorite bottle to bring back home for dinner. This was that bottle. Fruit comes from granite soil vineyards planted in 1979 and 1983. Whole-cluster fruit is delicately pressed. It ages in Austrian oval oak for 11 months."
James Suckling
Score
93
Date
2024-10-24
"A bright and lively white that has notes of sliced pears, yellow apples, chamomile and minerals. It,s medium- to full-bodied with gentle phenolics and steely tension underneath. Drink now or hold."
Vinous
Score
91
Date
2024-09-19
"The 2023 Chenin Blanc Swartland comes from vines planted on granite soils in 1979 and 1983, matured for 11 months in 1,000-liter oval foudres. Sulfur is only added before bottling. This has a well-defined bouquet that,s perhaps a little more mineral-driven than the previous vintage. The palate is nicely balanced with a slightly creamy feel on the opening. There is plenty of texture here and a touch of bitter lemon on the finish. Very fine."
Wine Spectator
Score
91
Date
2026-09-30
"Dense yet focused, this Chenin layers Asian pear, apricot and yellow apple with threads of white tea, hay and chamomile. Its tealike interplay of sweetness and bitterness lends textural nuance that carries through the long, spice-studded finish."
Jancis Robinson
Score
16.5+
Date
2026-05-06
"Old bush vines. Whole-bunch pressed, into very large foudres. Malo suppressed.Pure and very refreshing. The fruit, the whole fruit etc, etc."
REVIEWS FROM PAST VINTAGES
2022
James Suckling
Score
93
Date
2023-11-06
"A sleek yet creamy chenin with notes of apricot stones, fresh herbs, lemons and chopped apples on the nose. Some flinty undertones. Mineral and focused, with a medium body and excellent precision. Drink or hold."
2022
Vinous
Score
92
Date
2023-11-02
"The 2022 Chenin Blanc (Swartland) is whole cluster pressed and matured in 1,000-liter Oval Austrian vats for 11 months. The very precise nose has lemon thyme and light red apple scents, with just a touch of orange rind in the background. The palate has a lovely texture with a slightly resinous mouthfeel, yellow fruit mixed with ginger and marmalade, and a light twist of bitter lemon lending tension on the finish. Fine length. A very classy Chenin."
2022
Jancis Robinson
Score
16.5+
Date
2024-10-03