Young Guns and New Wave Producers
Timed Online Auction, 17 - 27 November 2023
Young Gun and New Wave Producers
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About this Item
Damascene is a partnership between celebrated Cape winemaker Jean Smit, previously the winemaker at Boekenhoutskloof and David Curl, former owner of Château Gaby in Canon-Fronsac, Bordeaux, now based at Moya Meaker in Elgin. Jean Smit is a rising star in SA winemaking and certainly a winemaker to watch. They seek out unique vineyards and sites across the Western Cape winelands and have created an exciting, pitch-perfect set of wines which are placed amongst the finest in SA. The debut wines were released in 2019, garnering much acclaim and excitement from both local and international wine critics.
The Damascene Semillon is made from historic Franschhoek vineyards planted in 1942 and 1962 on alluvial soils of decomposed Table Mountain sandstone. A portion – approximately 15 per cent – of the bush vines have naturally mutated into Semillon Gris. Both components were harvested and co-fermented.
Provenance
Producer
Critics Ratings
'From two Franschhoek vineyards, one planted in 1942 and the other in 1962. A complex nose with notes of fynbos, apple, naartjie, green melon, hay, wax and oatmeal while the palate has good fruit density, nicely integrated acidity and a gently savoury finish. That much more compact and balanced than the previous vintage.' - Christian Eedes, Winemag.co.za, 94/100 (Oct 2020)
‘Whole bunch pressed and made without malolactic, this Franschhoek Semillon is all about precision and focus. Leesy, herbal, layered and complex, with notes of dill and citrus peel, reassuring depth and complexity and a fresh, oyster shell finish. 2022-26.’ - Tim Atkin MW, SA Special Report 2021, 93/100