The Winemaker: Jasper Raats
Jasper has established himself as one of the most talented winemakers in South Africa and first gained prominence for wines he created in New Zealand. In 2003, he started working as viticulturist and winemaker at New Zealand’s Clos Henri in the Marlborough region, developing a new vineyard and making wine for world-renowned Sancerre growers, Domaine Henri Bourgeois. His international experience includes working in Burgundy, Pouilly Fume, Sancerre and in Napa and Sonoma.
The Wines
The Emily Rose
Shelf price £12.65
pre-shipment £10.65
A fresh wine with a lovely hue, bursting with aromas of ripe guava, pineapple, kiwi, green apple and a hint of strawberry, ending with a well-balanced acidity and a lingering finish.
Chenin Blanc 2019
Shelf price £17.50
pre-shipment £14.50
This naturally fermented Chenin boasts mineral like notes, hints of peach, pineapple and stone white fruit, with an understated hint of oak. On the palate a gentle minerality is accompanied by a well-balanced acidity.
Chardonnay 2018
Shelf price £18.50
pre-shipment £15.50
Distinct notes of minerality, combined beautifully with citrus and lime aromas on the nose are complemented by shortbread and dessert peaches on the palate, ending in a refreshing, lingering and perfectly balanced finish.
Clos du Ciel Chardonnay 2016
Shelf price £52.50
pre-shipment £40.00
Citronella and lemongrass aromatics envelop more subtle primary fruit that include peach skin and naartjie peel. Then also hints of vanilla, baked apple, marzipan and honey. Bone dry, savoury finish.
Ou Steen, Chenin Blanc 2017
Shelf price £42.50
pre-shipment £35.00
A toasty marmalade, hint of orange blossom, pineapple, lime and honey nougat character on the nose gives way to a fresh acidity on the mid palate, ending in a long lingering finish, with orange peel, grapefruit and cherry vanilla.
Merlot 2018
Shelf price £18.50
pre-shipment £15.50
This vintage delivered a medium bodied wine with a savoury nose and slight cedar characters. Ripe, yet soft tannins complement the aromas of plump, dark, red fruit and ripe strawberries with a hint of dark chocolate, cocoa green herbs and wet stones on the nose. Well integrated vanilla oak and enough backbone to age further in the bottle.
Pinotage 2018
Shelf price £18.50
pre-shipment £15.50
An elegant, well rounded wine with soft juicy tannins. The nose offers sweet spices, cassis and ripe berries, sugared orange peel, rooibos and a smoky charcuterie character, which follows through onto the palate, with a savoury lingering aftertaste.
Driefontein Syrah 2017
Shelf price £19.95
pre-shipment £15.65
On the nose the wine shows cinnamon, black cherries, elegant spice and charcuterie. Well-rounded tannins make for a wine which is accessible now, but with enough structure and balance to age and reward well in years to come. Serious, smoky, meaty and compact
Cuvee Rika Pinot Noir 2018
Shelf price £25.95
pre-shipment £20.95
Elegant, charming, floral and light in style, with an abundance of ripe red berries, juicy strawberries and subtle spices on the nose which follow through on the palate where it marries perfectly with a savoury meatiness.
Die Plek, Cinsault 2018
Shelf price £25.95
pre-shipment £20.95
Lightly tinted and medium bodied, this wine greets you on the nose with aromatic floral notes which follow through onto the palate with ripe strawberries, cherries, sweet spices and soft tannins on the mid palate.
All prices include VAT
The Winemaker: Lourens Van der Westhuizen
The wine must be a true reflection of our terroir, created from our own vineyards. Nurtured, produced and bottled with minimal interference. It’s the soil with all the microbes, cycle of elements and the help of living organisms that creates the heartbeat for my vines. The location towards the sun, wind and holistic climate conditions reflects the uniqueness of each vineyard. Spontaneous fermentation, no added yeast, is used with no enzymes. Maturation takes place in neutral vessels to bring through the unique vineyard characteristics which are specific to the site.
The Wines
1000 Vines Viognier 2020
Shelf price £19.50
pre-shipment £16.50
NOSE: Notes of spring blossom, jasmine, apricot and peach with hints of spice.
PALATE: Well structured, round, full bodied, beautiful palate weight.
MATURATION: 10 Months on the lees in neutral, 225L French Oak barrels.
Inspirational Batch Chenin Blanc 2020
Shelf price £19.50
pre-shipment £16.50
NOSE: Complex with Yellow apple, pineapple, nuts, and white pear.
PALATE: Rich, broad, great depth of flavour & Well balanced acidity.
MATURATION: Spontaneously fermented & matured for 10 months in neutral French Oak barrels.
Chardonnay 2019
Shelf price £17.50
pre-shipment £14.50
NOSE: Green & Yellow Citrus, Granny Smith Apple, with tropical fruit notes.
PALATE: Zesty, beautiful minerality, long lingering mouthfeel.
MATURATION: Spontaneously fermented & matured in 5000L Foudre & Neutral French Oak barrels
Cabernet Sauvignon 2019
Shelf price £17.50
pre-shipment £14.50
NOSE: Dark fruit, berries, plums & herbaceous spice.
PALATE: Medium to full-bodied, fruit forward with elegant tannin structure and long lingering finish
MATURATION: 14 months in Foudrè cask and the balance in neutral 225 French oak barrels.
All prices include VAT
The Winemaker | Cellar Master: Karlin Nel
I’ve always had a dream to make people happy, to watch people celebrate, to see people smile, dance and enjoy life. When I discovered the magical product that is wine, I knew that it could be a vehicle for realising this ideal and that I simply had to learn how to master this wonderful art. Wine is my passion and a phenomenal means of expression.
At Vrede en Lust each wine is crafted with passion. Our farms boast vineyards with plenty of character which gives us the ability to create wines with an immediate captivation. The wines are a direct expression of our extraordinary terroir. We make every wine to the best of our ability for our consumers to love and enjoy.
Every moment in life we have the opportunity to choose joy and what better way to choose this joy than with a glass of Vrede en Lust!
The Wines
White Mischief 2020
Shelf price £12.65
pre-shipment £10.55
An abundance of tropical fruit and floral notes on the nose followed by hints of white pear and fruit salad on the palate. Soft, beautifully balanced mouth-feel.
Viognier 2020
Shelf price £13.65
pre-shipment £11.40
Stone fruit aromas with hints of orange blossom on the nose. Delicate notes of spice with creaminess on the palate, beautifully balanced by judicious use of oak.
Lady J Syrah 2017
Shelf price £15.95
pre-shipment £12.95
The Shiraz grapes from Simonsberg-Paarl showcase violet and plums, whilst the Elgin grapes bring in a darker character with spicy notes and black pepper. Smooth tannins on the palate confirm the promise of this elegant wine. Velvet textured layers follows through to a juicy mouth-feel.
Boet Erasmus 2017
Shelf price £21.95
pre-shipment £17.95
Very primary on the nose – lifted red and black fruit, tobacco and vanilla plus a little earthiness. Medium-bodied with pure fruit, bright acidity and fine tannins, the finish long and savoury. Poised and understated, this wine has a good future ahead of it.
All prices include VAT
Our pre-shipment deals are designed to offer significant savings against the shelf price. No upfront payment is required, just a commitment to take the wines on arrival. We anticipate the wines arriving towards the middle of July. Minimum order 6 bottles per wine. Orders need to be received by Tuesday 27th April to sales@connollyswine.co.uk
I wrote to my MP recently.
“Why did you do that, Chris”
“Call it my sense of duty. Let me put you in the picture.”
You really should have been there………………
There are tastings and then there are tastings and last month we served up the most phenomenal Italian Masterclass in the company of Michael Palij, Master of Wine, who steered us through some of his most recent discoveries (notably a Sardinian quartet which provided all the evidence you need of the revolution taking place in the island’s vineyards and cellars).
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