2020 has been a difficult year for us all and it is great to hear good news!
South Africa's John Platter - the worldwide famous critic - and the Platters Wine Guide (published every year) is considered to be the 'wine bible' for all South African wine.
Today we have heard from Kristopher the owner and winemaker at Noble Hill winery
"We’re very excited to have the results of the Platter’s Guide for 2021 and I wanted to share with you our highest-yet results for Estate Reserve
Here’s a copy of our blurb on the winery in this year’s guide."
'This year sees the first certified-organic grapes coming off this family estate on the granitic northern (Paarl-side) slopes of the Simonsberg. It’s one expression of a commitment to both ‘environmental sustainability at every level’ and making ‘terroir-specific estate wines with minimal intervention’. Co-owner and winemaker-viticulturist Kristopher Tillery is continuing a move towards greater lightness and freshness in the wines (involving, for example, greater use of concrete and less of oak in some of them) – which are already generally understated and refined, classic in style. 2020 saw trials of young bushvine cinsaut and grenache noir, and replantings of chardonnay and cabs sauvignon and franc.'
The results are here:-
Estate Reserve 2018, 4.5 stars (92 points)
Classic restraint & firmness of structure on 2018, half cab with merlot, petit verdot, cab franc. Nothing overt, all in balance - though 5-10 years will bring harmony & complexity. Also 1.5L. Like all, spontaneous ferment; bottled unfined/filtered. Last tasted was 2016 (4 stars, 89 pts).
Sur Lie Chenin Blanc 2019, 4 stars
Lightly fruity, charming aromas & flavours on 2019. 9 months on lees in concrete tanks aid rich texture. Balanced & dry; easily pleasurable, but certainly not trivial. Syrah 2017, 4 stars Splashes mourvèdre & viognier as usual in pleasing, obviously ripe 2017. Most emphatic, least subtle of the reds & sweetest finish, yet with savoury, smoked meat character too.
Viognier 2019 4 stars The variety’s aromatic delights more complex on 2019 than on many, with honeysuckle & apricot, yet elegantly understated. Soft texture thanks to modest acidity & 9 months in oak.
Well done everyone at Noble Hill
Estate Blend - £15.50
Sur Lie Chenin - £12.95
Syrah - £12.95
Viognier - £14.95