We are delighted today to present our latest South African find. Well, perhaps not a find as such, but a new exclusive partnership of which we are very proud. Observers of the fine wine scene in South Africa will be well-aware of the young, highly talented Reenen Borman, a producer we have enjoyed drinking and meeting with for several years now. With a glint in his eye, we knew something had changed on our visit to South Africa this year, and Justerini & Brooks is thrilled to now import his new-wave collection directly.
Read MorePatatsfontein Wines
Named in homage to the sweet potato farm that once sat on this extreme site in the arid, slate-rich Little Karoo, the principal Patatsfontein project is located approximately 180km inland from Cape Town in a near-unknown region called Montagu. First introduced to the area by Chris Alheit in 2014 while on his hunt for heritage vineyards for Cartology, Reenen took over the site in 2015, gradually restoring the vineyards, and from it, now produces entirely unique expressions of Chenin Blanc and Colombard in South Africa. The extreme nature of the climate and high proportion of slate in the soils brings an initially reductive, mineral feel to the wines, which in time develop in to spicy, more textural notes. The Patatsfontein Wines brand has grown to mean more than just Montagu though, as it now seeks out special parcels of vines wherever they may lie. For example, Reenen’s highly acclaimed Sons of Sugarland has been brought in to the Patatsfontein brand, as it spotlights distinctive single vineyards in the cool, decomposed granite soils of the Polkadraai Hills in Stellenbosch. In fact, the Syrah has found favour as one of the most exciting in the country – a product of 100% whole bunches and solely concrete vinification and aging, so as to preserve a highly elegant and floral expression of Syrah. More varieties and single vineyards are expected to join the Sons of Sugarland project in due course.
Kottabos
Kottabos is a jovial tribute to an ancient Greek game (hence the beautiful mosaic-styled labels) in which wine lees were thrown at targets whilst uttering the name of the object of one’s affection. The red is produced from Grenache and Syrah, raised in a combination of concrete and oak; jovial in nature but with seriously good quality fruit. There is a white in the range which will be available to the UK from next year. Until then, we highly recommend the Kottabos red as a delicious, summery red, full of character, which can be served on the cooler side if desired. Produced exclusively from Stellenbosch fruit.
For full tasting notes on the wines please click below.