Aristargos, Swartland, 2023

Freshly cut white fruits, apples and greengages, shimmering and tense in style, a touch of hop, linseed oil and lemongrass with a fine phenolic grip on the finish. The 2023 has more salinity and twist of refreshing bitterness than usual. One of the best we’ve tasted. Aristargos is an Afrikaans concept which means “the best way to lead is to serve others.” A granite-driven Cape White Blend, Aristargos 2023 is 51% Chenin Blanc, 11% Semillon, 6% Verdelho, 6% Clairette Blanche, 8% Roussanne, 2% Grenache Blanc, 6% Marsanne, 10% Colombard and 2% Viognier. Planting dates range from 1960 to 2013. The grapes were whole bunch pressed and naturally fermented and then matured for 11 months in old neutral French oak barrels and concrete