PeeBee's wine notes September 2022

Grangehurst Pinotage 2008

Jeremy Walker made his first wines in the family squash court in Stellenbosch after graduating from UCT. This led to a full-time involvement, and in 1993, Jeremy became a founder of the Pinotage Association. A modest and focussed guy, he is a member of the Cape Winemakers’ Guild, and has learnt to appreciate releasing a wine after it has served 2 years in oak and at least 3 years in the bottle - akin to what is done in Spain’s famed Rioja region.

A true reflection of Stellenbosch and of tradition. 

Jeremy Walker’s Grangehurst Nikela

Jeremy, on qualifying from UCT, changed his hobby into his career - making red wine, initially in the family’s squash court.  In 1993 he joined the Pinotage Association, which decreed that a ‘Cape Blend’ must have 24% Pinotage – and this is what he did to this wine. 24% pinotage with the same amount of Shiraz, 34% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 8% Merlot, fermented separately in barrels for 28 months, and only released a decade later. 

‘Nikela’ means the offering of a gift to one’s ancestors.

Cederberg 5 Generations Cabernet Sauvignon 2016

David Niewoudt, 5th generation on his farm in the high-lying, cool Cederberg Mountains, is proud of the ‘Stellenbosch Taken to the Hills’ farm producing 50% red, 50% white of the traditional cultivars since 1973. Only 3,000 bottles of this particular wine are produced – mostly for the Winemakers’ Guild. Blackcurrant, cassis, cherry, tobacco - a symphony of tastes. The wine will mature for many a year. Great to experience ripe tannins, rich fruit, tightness. 18 months in new French oak. In great demand in foreign lands.