Damascene Pack Bottle size: 750ml

Damascene, W.O. Stellenbosch Chenin Blanc 2022 – R 495
'From three sites in the Bottelary hills off shale, greywacke and granite soils, vineyard age varies between 1972, 1980 and 1982 – all situated on hill tops. There is a richer, attractive nose of apple skin, bruised apple and a Loire-like earthy layer. The wine evolves with ripe citrus and stone fruit on the nose. The palate has an enticing pithy, apple pip bite that underscores the richer fruit and adds to the textural breadth, with a lingering lemon and lime skin lift on the finish. The wine is raised in large foudres and left on the lees for 10 months, then moved to concrete before bottling. Wonderfully complex, needing time to unfurl in the glass.' – James Pietersen, October 2023

'A blend of three mountainous Stellenbosch vineyards. This wine is supremely expressive of these distinct sites and their soils of pure shale, Greywacke and granite. As with many old vine wines, the vanguard unfurls quite slowly, but it’s worth the wait. A kaleidoscope of aromas ensues; yellow apple, nectarine, lemon blossom, and honeysuckle. These are joined by more serious tones of gravel dust, mineral talc, and smoky flint. The palate is comprehensively textured, with apricots and chewy maroela fruit on the mid-palate, segueing into pithier white grapefruit. The tail end forms a supremely textured citric finish, with nuances of lime, quince, and nutmeg. As the wine warms in the glass, it reveals additional touches of white queen pineapple and naartjie. An impressively winding journey, best enjoyed at a leisurely pace.' – Winemaker

Damascene, W.O. Swartland Chenin Blanc 2022 – R 495
'From two Paardeberg vineyards planted on granite, going back to 1979. Matured for 11 months in foudres and older oak. A fresh nose, with white stone fruit and cut pear – floral and delicate. The palate follows with white peach and succulent pear fruit. A rounded palate, leading to a medium-bodied and supremely focused, elegant send-off. The wine is quiet with a green apple acid line that adds to the structure and length.' – James Pietersen, October 2023

'A blend of two mountainous Swartland vineyards planted as far back as 1979. An opening of lime leaf, oatmeal, apricot, crushed apple seed, and flint, gives way to sweeter elements of cling peach, mango, and pineapple pulp, as the wine warms in the glass. Likewise on the palate, this impressively textured old vine rendition starts out quite tightly wound; brimming with crisp, textured green apple skin and lime cordial, only to slowly soften into riper stone fruit notes. It manages all this without ever losing that intensely pure green apple acidity that runs through the core from front to back.' – Winemaker

Damascene, W.O. Franschhoek Sémillon 2022 – R 495
'From two vineyards planted in 1962 and 1942, the wine includes about 15% Sémillon Gris. Whole clusters are gently crushed and further fermented in foudres. Typical shy Sémillon fruit of ripe tangerine, mandarin, and notes of hay. The palate is quiet with texture to the fore, slowly expressing some white fruit, ground almonds and a broad, rich, medium-to-full palate. There is a distinct saline end. These old-vine Sémillons are unique to South Africa and require time to show their best. One of the very best expressions of this style!' – James Pietersen, October 2023

'A gradual crescendo of aromas begins with savoury flint and sea spray, leading into the herbal notes of fynbos, white peach, and dried apricot. Over time, these elements evolve, introducing ripe cling peach, tangerine, and pineapple. The palate is both supremely weighted and textured; managing to marry juicy citrus with structured chalky dryness. Its broad entry carries creamy lemon curd elements, alongside ripe stone fruit, and juicy Sicilian blood orange. The finish carries hints of baked apple and cardamom. Being an old vine wine, this is a beauty that reveals itself over time. If you have the restraint, drink this wine over a few days to see how it evolves.' – Winemaker

Damascene, W.O. Stellenbosch Cabernet Franc 2022 – R 495
'From an east-facing vineyard planted in 2004 on granite soils in the Bottelary. The bunches were de-stemmed into concrete fermenters, and whole berries were cold soaked for three days before primary fermentation commenced. Raised in 1000-litre French oak vats. There is a beautiful perfume of crushed rose and potpourri spice, with tart red cherry and strawberry freshness. Long, dry, particularly crisp, and light on its feet. The wine has a gentle and delicate tannin structure overlayed with juicy, elegant blueberry fruit, attractive cedar, and gravelly notes.' – James Pietersen, October 2023

'A heady mix of violets, crushed rose petals, tobacco leaf, and pencil shavings; interspersed with sweeter blueberry and cassis. The palate embodies the essence of the cultivar: lithe and red-fruited, offering a high-resolution mosaic of raspberry, pomegranate and cherry, followed by gentler maraschino and currants. All framed by articulate plum skin tannins. As it warms, notes of cedar, blueberry, and roasted plum emerge, leading to a finish with a final burst of violets, tomato leaf, and raspberry sherbet.' – Winemaker

Damascene, W.O. Swartland Syrah 2022 – R 495
'From three different sites including Kasteelberg and Paardeberg, the Swartland Syrah is a combination of granite, schist, shale and ferricrete. All the vineyards are dryland farmed. 60-70% was whole-cluster fermented, and submerged cap was introduced on some batches to add width. Raised in 2000-litre foudres for 11 months. The immediate impression is of a wine with a brooding personality, initially shy on the nose with notes of black pepper, tapenade and black fruit. The palate is salty and juicy, with a deep-fruited and chewy, broad palate. This needs time. Super-textured, long and grippy with great depth of plummy fruit – typical inward blackness.' – James Pietersen, October 2023

'From three divergent Swartland sites. Soils of granite, schist, shale and ferricrete act as building blocks to achieve striking, harmonious balance. The purity, perfume and spice of granite-grown fruit is complemented by the more earthy tones of grapes harvested from shale and schist outcrops, imbuing the wine with structure and depth. By far the moodiest of the Damascene Syrah trio, the Swartland expression opens with impressive aromatic depth; showing wild blackberries, aniseed, mulberries, and savoury Kalamata olive tapenade. The weighty palate keeps pace with the vanguard, possessing the power to support vivid ripe blackberry and black plum fruit, underpinned by tightly-wound, firm black cherry skin tannins. The muscled fruit core is garnished with star anise, Sichuan pepper, and accents of clove, along with subtle touches of red peppercorn on the plum-laden finish.' – Winemaker

Damascene, W.O. Stellenbosch Syrah 2022 – R 495
'From two sites, one in the Polkadraai and the other Bottelary, both 300m above sea level. The soils are predominantly decomposed granite. 60-70% was whole-cluster fermented, and submerged cap was introduced on some batches to add width. Raised in 2000-litre foudres for 11 months. Perfumed pink pepper, attractive florals and bright black olive introduce an aromatically seductive nose, laced with clove and nutmeg spice. Layered and just so inviting, this is simply awesome if you love Syrah! The tannins are gentle and persistent, with bouncy acidity and moreish, savoury herbaceous notes. The tannins have a granitic grip with a mineral core, entwined in a complex palate of shy fruit, orange rind and cured meat, ending fresh and dry. Brimming with personality, this is a an epic Syrah.' – James Pietersen, October 2023

'Vanguard aromas present a striking tapestry of spice, fruit, and herbs. Notes of dried rosemary, fennel, rocket leaf, and Madagascan pink peppercorn form vertical seams, interwoven with broader horizontals of blackberries, red cherry, and spiced orange rind. On the palate, this wine exhibits remarkable agility, with fine yet firm fruit skin tannins framing high-contrast flavours of juicy blackberry, sour cherry, white pepper, and fennel. The wine concludes with a lingering flourish of dried violets, lavender, and raspberry.' – Winemaker