Boekenhoutskloof, Semillon Franschhoek 2020

99 points Tim Atkin MW
"Boekenhoutskloof has always made impressive, age-worthy Semillons, but Gottfried Mocke has taken 2020 to another level of complexity. Using grapes from three old parcels, planted in 1902, 1936, and 1942, with the largest component from the legendary La Colline vineyard, this includes 2% Muscat d'Alexandrie and some field-blended Semillon Gris. Fermented in two-thirds new wood, with the rest seeing concrete eggs and amphoras, it's one of the greatest ever Cape whites. Stony, flinty and layered, with wax, lemongrass, and nutmeg flavors and subtle struck match reduction. Wow! 2022-30"

Jancis Robinson
"The 24th vintage. 98% Sémillon from these old vines (20% 1932, 55% 1936, 23% 1942). In this vintage, they added 2% early-picked Muscat of Alexandria (1902) rather than the Sauvignon Blanc added in earlier vintages. Whole-bunch pressed and spontaneously fermented in barriques and concrete eggs. Matured at low temperatures for 14 months, 70% in new French oak and 30% in concrete eggs. The Muscat fermented in clay amphora. TA 5.4 g/l, pH 3.41, RS 2 g/l. Gottfried Mocke's first vintage was 2016 and this vintage shows some of the changes in the cellar, with SO2 added at an earlier stage and less new oak.
Very pale. Completely different from the 2010 and the 2009. Much more obvious flintiness and a touch of struck match (more deliberate sulphides). Herbal, grapefruit, with the fine waxy texture of Sémillon even with all this freshness. It's the winemaking that marks the aroma at the moment. Super-smoky on the palate. Full and textured in the mouth, great length. Mouth-watering, powerful, elegant. Long and still embryonic. 18/20 points. (JH)"

Vinous Reverie Notes
Boekenhoutskloof was established in 1776. Located in the furthest corner of the beautiful Franschhoek Valley, the farm's name means "ravine of the Boekenhout" (pronounced Bookn-Howed). The Boekenhout is an indigenous Cape Beech tree greatly prized for furniture making- the chairs on the wine label are a nod to this history. In 1993 the farm and homestead were purchased and restored, and a new vineyard planting program was established that now includes Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Grenache, Semillon, and Viognier. Today, Marc Kent is the owner, chief winemaker, and driving force behind the dynamic farm. The wines produced here are certified sustainable by the Integrated Production of Wine and Boekenhoutskloof is a founding member of the Franschhoek Mountain Conservancy.