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The Critics
Tim Atkin MW
96 points. Boekenhoutskloof's world-class Semillon uses grapes from three distinct blocks in Franschhoek, planted in 1902, 1936 and 1942, combining these with 3% Muscat d'Alexandrie. Showing more acidity and restraint than the stunning 2020, and less of the struck match character, it has notes of lemongrass, custard and beeswax and a core of chiselled acidity. Needs more time. 2024-32
James Suckling
94 points. Always an excellent semillon, textured and compact. Complex aromas of apricots, beeswax, Asian pears and hints of white chocolate. Some almonds. Medium- to full-bodied with a long, creamy finish. From old vines planted in 1902, 1942 and 1936. Drink or hold.
94 points. The 2021 Semillon comes from two vineyards, one planted in 1942 (white sand plus granite) and another in 1902 (granite with quartz). It was whole bunch pressed and aged for 14 montgs in 70% new French oak. Blended with 3% Muscat d’Alexandria, also planted in 1902, it has a delineated, lanolin-yinged bouquet with a hint of green olive. The palate is beautiful, waxy in texture, with veins of lemongrass and lemon thyme, detailed and poised with impressive concentration on the finish. This will be a serious long-term Semillon, and I know from first hand experience how brilliantly they can age in bottle. This will be released in 2024.
Vineyard Info
The Semillon is made from Certified Heritage Vineyards, which count amongst the oldest in South Africa. These three Franschhoek Semillon vineyards have acclimated to their terroirs, producing unique wines with intense depth and complexity. These old vineyards' deep root systems and high skin-to-pulp ratio produce intensely complex, well-structured wines with unbelievable ageing potential. Two of the vineyards used for our Semillon, planted in 1902 and 1942, are unirrigated bush vines, growing on little to no slope in the ancient Franschhoek Riverbed. These vineyards are well established on alluvial soils with a high loam content.
The third vineyard planted in 1936, is located further up the valley on a 45-degree south-facing slope, on decomposed granite and quartz soils. Some of the vines within these vineyards have naturally mutated from Semillon to Semillon Gris, which has a slight red hue and higher skin-to-pulp ratio. The Semillon Gris vines naturally require more ripening time and are only harvested during a second picking. We opted to use a small portion of historic Muscat d'Alexandrie, planted in 1902, to enhance the wine's aromatic character.
Vintage Info
The old vines benefited well from the generally wet weather conditions and low evening temperatures throughout the 2021 growing season. With good vegetative growth and lush canopies, the Semillon ripened slowly and evenly, which contributes to the approachable nature of the vintage along with an enticing minerality.
Vinification
Grapes were whole-bunch pressed and spontaneously fermented in 225-litre barriques and concrete eggs. Maturation occurs at low temperatures, without sulphur additions, for 14 months: 70% in new French oak barriques and 30% in concrete eggs. This oxidative approach at low temperatures enables us to enhance our old vine Semillon's textural elements, creating exceptional structure in a wine that can certainly stand the test of time. The Muscat d'Alexandrie was skin-fermented and matured in clay amphora.
