Cape Heritage and The Loire
Timed Online Auction, 1 - 12 August 2024
Cape Heritage - White Wines
About the SessionThe Cape Heritage White Wine Session features the noble variety, Chenin Blanc, known for its versatility and fruit intensity. South Africa has the oldest Chenin Blanc vines in the world and produces long-aging, diverse and fine wines.
About this Item
The Beaumont family were among the first to harness the potential of wine grapes in the picturesque Bot River district and with Sebastian Beaumont at the helm their reputation is established as a fine wine producer, spearheaded by the consistently superb reserve Chenin from the oldest vineyard blocks on the farm (planted 1974 & 1978).
This lot consists of the following wines:
Beaumont Hope Marguerite 2011 (1 x 750ml)
Beaumont Hope Marguerite 2012 (1 x 750ml)
Beaumont Hope Marguerite 2015 (2 x 750ml)
Quietly regarded as one of South Africa’s benchmark Chenin Blancs, this barrel fermented, elegant style put Bot River and Beaumont on the fine wine map. Known to age for a decade or more, the Hope Marguerite has the longest consecutive Platter 5* track record in the history of the guide.
Provenance
Private Client
Critics Ratings
2011:
'Impressive brightness on this light straw colour with just a touch of gold. Cut apple, yellow stone fruits and quince aromas are forthcoming and lively, underscored by only subtle hints of lanolin and fresh honey from bottle age. The palate has retained all of its appetising verve, while just having softened the acidity and tasting broad and silky. No real evidence of oak on flavour, only manifesting in the creamy, rich, softness of the wine. Perfect rewarding condition after 10 years. Excellent.' - Higgo Jacobs, 96/100 (Feb 2021)
'Benchmark barrel-fermented/aged chenin crafted for ageing. 2011 leads the Beaumont white pack by some way: fruit-full but not sweet (despite 6g/l sugar); smooth, serious & complex, with reined-in oaking (only 15% new).' - Platter's SA Wine Guide 2013, 5*
2012:
'Internationally lauded a SA classic, the farm's top white is from low-yielding old vines. Drier 2012's cool-fruited focus, tension & freshness has a subtle, rich undertone. Elegant & polished, with modest 12.6% alcohol belying its intensity.' - Platter's SA Wine Guide 2014, 5*
'A bit of damp straw on the nose, fresh apple fruit with a toffee, dairy character on the palate. Fine, crisp finish. Lovely savoury finish – mealy and fine. Combines the richness of the New World with the nerve of the Loire.' - Richard Hemming MW, JancisRobinson.com, 17/20 (May 2014)
2015:
‘Scintillating 2015 reflects super harvest but retains restrained styling of 2014 (4.5 stars, 94 pts). Lively tension between leesy width and vibrant citrus tang. Year oak, 15% new, shows as a delicious, understated oatmeal gloss. Proven pedigree from 40-year-old vines.’ – Platter’s SA Wine Guide 2017, 5*
‘The Hope Marguerite often has a little residual sugar (7.1 grams here), but like a great Vouvray Demi-Sec the sweetness is balanced by acidity. Toasty oak, honey and tarte tatin favours, lots of volume and texture on the palate and acidity that lifts the finish to another plane.’ – Tim Atkin MW, SA Special Report 2016, 94/100
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