Boekenhoutskloof Semillon 2022

This ancient vine Semillon (with its hints of blushing Muscat) has never looked more alluring. The expansive but slender chassis gives way to a brittle, teasing finish, and the floral, silver needle, and jasmine notes are overwhelmingly rhythmic and hypnotic. 2022 Boek Sem experience is like no other Semillon on earth.

• Reviewer Name: Matthew Jukes

This stunning Sém is made from some of South Africa's oldest vines: two vineyards planted in 1902 and 1942 in the ancient Franschhoek riverbed and the La Colline vineyard, planted in 1936 on a slope further up the valley. The blend also contains a small percentage of early-picked Muscat of Alexandria from the 1902 vineyard, to add acidity rather than aromatics. It is skin-fermented and matured in amphora, while the Semillon ages for 14 months in 70% new French oak barriques and 30% in concrete eggs, allowing texture to develop. Such purity and vibrancy to the golden citrus aromatics, with zesty grapefruit and honeyed nuttiness. Complex and concentrated palate, driven by a streak of minerality, with layers of pristine citrus and stone fruit, hints of nuts, apple and chamomile; a touch of salinity too. Textured and long, this will continue to deliver with time in bottle.

• Reviewer Name: Julie Sheppard

The Boekenhoutskloof 2022 Franschhoek Semillon comes from a plot of old vines, one of the oldest in the Western Cape, planted in 1902. Another vineyard on sandy soils was planted in 1942 and another yet on granite soils in 1956. A tiny percentage of Muscat, just 2% to 3%, is blended in. The Muscat is harvested last and put into clay Tava pots to keep it as neutral as possible. However, it does add a tiny bit of acacia flower and honey. The Semillon is waxy and rich with linseed oil and chamomile. Semillon was planted on the Cape in the 1800s, and it mutated to show a South African personality. This wine is slightly reductive and tight. Although it is coming to market now, give it more time in the cellar. Semillon becomes very gastronomic with time, proprietor Marc Kent says.

• Reviewer Name: Monica Larner