Name: Sémillon 2022
Brand: Boekenhoutskloof
SKU: S8992
Price: 51.00 GBP
Availability: InStock

CHARACTERISTICS

TypeVino bianco fermo
Location Franschhoek

Grapes Semillon 100%

Sensations Boekenhoutskloof Semillon is sourced primarily from the oldest Semillon vineyard in South Africa, planted in 1902 in Franschhoek on alluvial soils with high clay content. The grapes also come from two additional low-yielding blocks planted in 1936 and 1942 on original rootstock and traditional vines. On the nose it is fresh and inviting, with intense aromas of orange blossom, marmalade and jasmine, alongside notes of pot-pourri, nettle and beeswax. Pure flavours of mandarin, nectarine and Cape fynbos, oregano and chamomile create a multilayered palate with soft, well-integrated acidity and a subtle nuance of persimmon bush and fenugreek from the prolonged yet delicate oak ageing, adding complexity and balance. The mid-palate is dry and richly structured, with an enveloping yet agile body and a vibrant, attractive mineral vein. The wine is captivating, precise and concentrated, yet elegant and smooth, with grapefruit, lemon curd and lime lingering on a clean, slightly saline and mouthwatering finish.

Vinification The grapes were whole-bunch pressed and spontaneously fermented in classic 225L barriques and concrete eggs. Maturation takes place at low temperatures, without sulphur additions, for 14 months: 70% in new French oak barriques and 30% in concrete vessels. This low-temperature oxidative approach enhances the textural depth of the old Semillon vines, creating an exceptional structure in a wine that can truly stand the test of time.

Alcoholic strength 13.5% vol

Allergens Contains sulphites

TASTING RECOMMENDATIONS

Tips Store in a cool place away from light, bottle laid down. Refrigerate no more than 24h beforehand. Open and serve immediately.
Serving temperature 10 grades
GlassFlute / Franciacorta
When to drink it within 10 years
Pairing Fish menu

PRODUCTION NOTES

South Africa
Boekenhoutskloof Winery 2 Excelsior Rd, Franschhoek, 7690, Sudafrica

Awarded

James Suckling 93
Jancis Robinson 93
Decanter World Wine Awards NO

Sémillon 2022

A white wine capable of defying time and telling the authentic rural soul of an entire continent. This is the Semillon from Boekenhoutskloof. But let’s proceed in order. We are in Franschhoek, one of the most fascinating cradles of South African viticulture, literally meaning “the French corner”. This valley was colonised at the end of the 17th century by French Huguenots who planted the first vines here. The historic Boekenhoutskloof winery, founded in 1776, preserves a monumental winegrowing heritage in this remarkable place. The true jewel of this label is that it mainly comes from the oldest Semillon vineyard in the entire country, planted back in 1902. A true living legend rooted deeply in alluvial soils rich in clay. The grapes are strictly whole-bunch pressed. Fermentation takes place spontaneously, using only indigenous yeasts, inside classic 225-litre barriques and concrete eggs. The wine then undergoes maturation at low temperatures for a full 14 months without any sulphur addition. Ageing is divided between 70% new French oak barriques and 30% concrete vessels. This controlled oxidative approach protects the wine while fully enhancing the textural depth of the old vines. In the glass it shows a golden, luminous colour with remarkable consistency. On the nose it is fresh and inviting. Intense aromas of orange blossom, marmalade and jasmine immediately emerge, accompanied by elegant hints of pot-pourri, nettle and beeswax. On the palate it reveals itself as a multilayered masterpiece. Pure flavours of mandarin and nectarine are enriched by notes of local Cape fynbos, oregano and chamomile. The acidity is soft and beautifully integrated. The delicate oak brings a subtle and fascinating hay-like nuance. Dry, with an enveloping yet agile body and a vibrant mineral vein. The finish is clean, concentrated and slightly saline, with lingering memories of grapefruit and lime. Thanks to its extraordinary structure and protective winemaking, this white wine has exceptional ageing potential. Already magnificent today, it can easily evolve in the cellar for 10 to 15 years, developing breathtaking tertiary complexity over time.
To pronounce the name of this winery without twisting your tongue requires a small effort: “Book-n-Howed”. But falling in love with its wines takes only a single sip. Founded in 1776, this historic estate lies in the most hidden and evocative corner of the beautiful Franschhoek Valley in South Africa. The name, literally meaning “the gorge of the Boekenhout”, pays tribute to a native tree once highly prized by local cabinetmakers for crafting fine furniture. The real rebirth of the winery, however, came in modern times, specifically in 1993, when a group of passionate wine lovers decided to take over the abandoned property and restore it to its former glory. This is where Marc Kent enters the story. Young and charismatic, Marc was not born with his hands in the soil. In fact, he was on the verge of becoming a pilot in the South African Air Force before profound geopolitical changes reshaped the course of his destiny. Turning the page, Marc decided to dedicate himself to his greatest passion: viticulture. He studied in Burgundy and Bordeaux, fell in love with the European style and returned home with a crystal-clear vision: to prove that South Africa could produce wines capable of competing with the world’s greatest icons. The Franschhoek Valley proved to be the perfect stage for this challenge. Embraced by the imposing Drakenstein Mountains, the area benefits from high altitudes and a cool, breezy climate, highly unusual for African averages. Here the terroir works in favour of elegance: free-draining soils and marked temperature variations allow the grapes to ripen slowly, concentrating intense aromas while never sacrificing freshness and acidity. Under the technical guidance of Marc Kent, Boekenhoutskloof has established itself as a true specialist in Syrah, a grape variety that finds remarkably expressive interpretations in these lands.