Boekenhoutskloof Semillon 2019
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Suckling
James - Vinous
Product Details
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Somm Note
Winemaker Notes
The nose is fresh and inviting with intense aromas of orange blossom, marmalade and jasmine and hints of potpourri, nettles and beeswax. Pure flavors of tangerine, honeysuckle, nectarine and notes of Cape fynbos, oregano and chamomile create a multi layered palate, with soft, beautifully integrated acidity and subtle nuances of khaki bush and fenugreek from prolonged yet very gentle oaking, lending complexity and balance. The mid-palate is dry and richly textured, with a mouth-filling, lithe body and a vibrant, attractive mineral streak. The wine is arresting, precise and focused, yet elegant and smooth, with grapefruit, lemon curd and lime lingering on a clean, slightly saline, mouthwatering finish.
Blend: 97% Sémillon, 3% Muscat d'Alexandrie
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
A wonderfully perfumed nose of beeswax, green apple, fleshy peach and charred thyme. Medium-bodied with silky, rich texture. Expressive and incredibly succulent with subtle but driving acidity that pushes the palate through a persistent finish. Gentle tannins give structure and focus. Delicious. Sustainable.
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Vinous
The 2019 Sémillon, one of my favorite cuvées from this producer, has a wonderful bouquet of peach skin and orange blossom scents, all extremely well defined. The balanced palate offers superb concentration on the entry, flavors of praline mixed with citrus fruit and almond, and an almost resinous note toward the finish. It’s tempting to drink this now, but it deserves 3–5 years in bottle.
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Boekenhoutskloof was established in 1776. Located in the furthest corner of the beautiful Franschhoek Valley, the farm’s name means “ravine of the Boekenhout” (pronounced Bookn-Howed). The Boekenhout is an indigenous Cape Beech tree greatly prized for furniture making. In 1993 the farm and homestead was bought and restored and a new vineyard planting program was established that now includes Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Grenache, Semillon, and Viognier. Today, Marc Kent is the owner, chief winemaker, and driving force behind the dynamic farm.
The Story of the Seven Chairs
The Boekenhout is an indigenous Cape Beech tree greatly prized for making fine furniture. The Boekenhoutskloof label features seven chairs; amongst them the country-style split splat chair made in the neo-classical style with a shouldered top rail and the thonged seat from the late 18th century. Then there’s the Sandveld chair that has two back rails and a thonged seat which made its appearance in the second quarter of the 19th century. The transitional Tulbagh chair was made in the late 18th century; it has a plain back and a shaped top rail with half-round opening. The chairs on the wine labels all pay tribute to the skills of the 18th century craftsmen and their achievements in creating beauty from natural sources, just like the pursuit of fine winemaking.
Sémillon has the power to create wines with considerable structure, depth and length that will improve for several decades. It is the perfect partner to the vivdly aromatic Sauvignon Blanc. Sémillon especially shines in the Bordeaux region of Sauternes, which produces some of the world’s greatest sweet wines. Somm Secret—Sémillon was so common in South Africa in the 1820s, covering 93% of the country’s vineyard area, it was simply referred to as Wyndruif, or “wine grape.”
Originally named Franschhoek meaning the “French Corner” because it was home to the influx of French Huguenots, today the valley contains many historic cellars and is an important tourist location because of its proximity to Cape Town.
This valley falls to the southeast of Paarl and is enclosed on three sides by towering mountains. Streams from the slopes flow down to the valley floor, converging to form the Berg River. The area excels in the production of full-bodied reds.