Aristargos, Swartland, 2022

Aristargos is an Afrikaans concept which means “the best way to lead is to serve others.” A granite-driven Cape White Blend, Aristargos 2022 is 47% Chenin Blanc, 11% Semillon, 9% Verdelho, 7% Clairette Blanche, 7% Roussanne, 6% Grenache Blanc, 6% Marsanne, 5% Colombar and 2% Viognier. Planting dates 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. In total, grapes from 21 different vineyards were used, picked in 28 different batches. Fuller bodied but still subtle, the Aristargos 2022 offers delicious hints of ripe apples, lemon, honey and quince, pithy fruit skin, tangerine, a lick of salt, and savoury notes of pistachio, green olive and a hint of smoke on the finish. Texturally satisfying with a supple, fine acid line.