Product Description
93 points Decanter
"A blend of Chenin Blanc, Viognier, Roussanne, Sémillon and Clairette from 12 different vineyards, this 2016 is the product of a small crop. The team were forced to pick earlier than usual. It has a richer nose of baked apple, followed on the palate by fresh green apple as well as apple crumble flavours. It has a lemony acidity with some mineral touches, allied to a fuller, richer texture than previous years thanks to a lower PH."
92 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
"A blend of 50% Chenin Blanc, 20% Viognier, 12% Roussanne, 10% Sémillon and 8% Clairette Blanche, the 2016 Aristargos opens to a nose rich with mineral essence and aromas of wet river rocks, beeswax, dust-covered citrus blossoms, yellow cherry, peach skin and pineapple husk. Medium-bodied, the wine shows impeccable texture and weight across the mid-palate, unpacking a balanced structure with energetic acidity and beautiful finesse. The wine continues to evolve on the palate with hints of seared almonds and flavors of brioche crumbs on the long, lingering finish. Bravo!"
Jancis Robinson
"Grapes from twelve different Swartland vineyards are used (the age of the Chenin blanc vineyard vary from 33 to 49 years and the Sémillon was planted in 1960 and 1972), mostly bush vines and dry land farmed. 50% Chenin Blanc, 20% Viognier, 12% Roussanne, 10% Sémillon, 8% Clairette Blanche. The grapes are whole-bunch pressed and cold settling is allowed for the juice before racking into barrel for spontaneous fermentation (including malolactic fermentation). The Sémillon is kept on the skins for a few days. The wines age in old 300-litre French barrels. Total production 9,065 bottles, pH 3.48, RS 2.6 g/l, TA 5.2 g/l, yield: 2-4.5 t/ha, TSO2 108 mg/l.
Smells nutty and herbal. Tastes of honeyed almonds and thyme. Waxy richness and roundness with candied orange peel and ginger. Sweet Williams pears. Full and reverberating. 17/20 points. (TC)"
Vinous Reverie Notes
The blend consists of Chenin blanc (50%), Viognier (20%), Roussanne (12%), Sémillon (10%) Clairette blanche (8%). With old vine Chenin Blanc as their main focus, the Aristargos 2018 is yet again predominantly both Chenin blanc and Old Vines driven, with younger Viognier, Roussanne and Marsanne blended in. Planting dates vary from 1960 until 2013. Granitic Paardeberg soils form the base of some Chenin blanc vineyards, the two Sémillons and Clairette blanche, while the Marsanne, one Viognier vineyard and more Chenin blanc grows in iron rich clay soils on the western side of Malmesbury, blended with more Viognier, Roussanne and more Chenin blanc from the northerly clay-rich soils, with some vines dating back to 1962. Whole bunch pressed and naturally fermented, matured for 11 months in old neutral French oak barrels.
