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The Boekenhoutskloof wine portfolio is a large one, including The Chocolate Block, The Wolftrap, Porcupine Ridge, Helderberg Winery, Porseleinberg and Cap Maritime. The Cap Maritime wines were meant to represent coastal wines by Boekenhoutskloof and has delivered some vibrant Sauvignon Blanc and Shiraz, but now with a focus on Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. It is with these wines where winemaker Gottfried Mocke can showcase his skill in blending across areas and making single vineyard wines, working with what nature provides you to work with.
The Cap Maritime Coastal Chardonnay 2023 is a blend of various Chardonnays from parcels the Cape South Coast, allowing the winemaker to choose the best grapes and employ their qualities in making a vibrant Chardonnay. In the glass, it has a pale-yellow colour and it is forthcoming on the nose, with hints of tropical fruit, apple and lemon. It delivers well on the palate with ripe quince, pink grapefruit and lime. The entry on the palate is elegant due to light bâtonnage over 12 months. It has a good finish that will keep you lingering for more. Alcohol: 12.89%, RS: 2.34g/l, Price: R190, Rating: 91/100.
The Upper Hemel-en-Aarde Valley Chardonnay 2022 is the slightly more expensive Chardonnay, sealed with wax. The juice for this wine was racked into 40% Burgundian foudre and 60% new French oak barriques, with some light bâttonage over 14 months. It also has a pale-yellow colour and present slightly more complex notes on both the nose and palate, such as honeycomb, caramel, vanilla pod and fresh almonds. This can mostly be ascribed to the wood integration, which was still done elegantly to make a fresh and accessible wine. It has a long fruity finish. Alcohol: 13.73, RS: 2.5g/l, Price: 480, Rating: 92/100.
The two Chardonnays described above are in many ways similar, where the Upper Hemel-en-Aarde Chardonnay displays more secondary characteristics because of the new wood contact. One needs to keep in mind that the winemaker is able to maintain a house style with the Coastal Chardonnay, due to blending, whereas the single vineyard Chardonnay can vary significantly due to climatic and other changes. Both are good value for money and should be enjoyed chilled well. They will work well on their own, but also compliment any creamy pasta, risotto, chicken dish or white fish dish. They are good to be enjoyed now or within the next 5-6 years.
The Cap Maritime Coastal Pinot Noir 2023 has a light Burgundy appearance and is forthcoming on the nose. The first and most striking feature of this wine is its crunchy tannins, ascribed to oak influence. It is fruit-driven, with cranberries, red cherries, fresh plums and strawberries. The savoury notes are in the background, keeping the wine together in conjunction with its acidity. It has a chocolate finish that lingers on the palate for some time. Alcohol: 13.5%, RS: 1.58g/l, Price: 190, Rating: 90/100.
The Upper Hemel-en-Aarde Valley Pinot Noir is a much more elegant Pinot Noir, but with more character. It adds notes of blueberries, dried spices, earthiness and forest floor through the foudre and 40% new French oak barriques. Malolactic conversion assists in a smooth mouthfeel and the tannins are overall rounded. This wine is very well balanced on the palate with an earthy finish. Alcohol: 14.10%, RS: 1.69g/l, Price: R480, Rating: 93/100.
The two Pinot Noirs are quite different and the difference in quality is noticeable. However, each one has its own characteristics that can work for different people: if you want a classic Burgundian-style Pinot Noir, the Upper Hemel-en-Aarde one will be your go-to, but if you want something with a slightly crunchier texture that is fruit-forward, the Coastal option will work well. Both wines will benefit from some light chill and breathing about 15 minutes before serving, but it is not necessary to decant them. They will show well in large Burgundy glasses with a large opening and a big bowl. The Coastal Pinot Noir is good to drink now or within the next five years, and the Upper Hemel-en-Aarde Pinot Noir can be enjoyed now or within the next 10-12 years. Both can be enjoyed on their own or with an ostrich fillet and berry sauce, a cheese platter or ribeye steak.
Congratulations to Gottfried Mocke for making a pleasant contribution to coastal Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. It showcases his diversity as a winemaker, in addition to what he does with other classic varieties at Boekenhoutskloof. Cap Maritime is now establishing itself as a brand on its own and it is well worth a try, and affordable enough to give it a try if you haven’t done so already. They are truly beautiful wines that delivers well in terms of quality and finer nuances.
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