The
wines of La Vierge, Hemel-en-Aarde
Impressive wines from one of South Africa's most dynamic wine
regions
Website: www.lavierge.co.za
I tasted these wines with winemaker Marc
van Halderen, who has now left for Australia, as well as owner Peter
Clarke. Let's hope that his great work can be continued, because
these are really exciting wines, from the Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge. (The
new winemaker is Gerhard Smith.)
Marc van Halderen
Peter Clarke
The vineyards, which I’d visited a year
earlier, are quite stunning. While the tasting room and winery is
located in the Hemel-en-Aarde valley (this was previously the Newton
Johnson winery), the vineyards are a bit further inland, on the
ridge, just past Kevin Grant’s scenic Ataraxia.
The wines are brought into the UK by The
Wine Treasury.
THE
WINES
La Vierge Pinot Noir 2009
Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge, South Africa
15% stems, 13.8% alcohol. 115 clone, 6000 vines/hectare, no
irrigation. From a single vineyard, this was Marc's first vintage.
Fresh, pure, leafy bright cherry fruit with a savoury plummy notes.
There's a supple, rounded, textured character that's appealing. Real
interest. 92/100
La Vierge Pinot Noir 2010
Hemel-en-Aarde, South Africa
Not as cool as 2009, 30% stems. Fresh, vivid cherry fruit nose
leads to a supple palate with good acidity and a bit of savoury
bite. Beautifully vivid with nice precision and freshness and lovely
textured cherry fruit. 94/100
La Vierge Pinot Noir 2011
Hemel-en-Aarde, South Africa
Clones 667, 777, 114, 115, taken from another three blocks. 30%
stems. Pale colour. Taut, fresh and vivid with aromatic red cherry
fruit. So fresh and taut with nice savoury spicy notes. Quite
structured with a bit of grip and nice acidity. Still primary with
lots of brightness and luminosity. 93/100
La Vierge Pinot Noir 2012
Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge, South Africa (barrel sample)
Much deeper in colour than the three previous vintages. 50%
stems. Beautifully aromatic with lovely sweet, pure black cherry
notes with some chocolate and spice. The palate is dense and grippy
with pure black cherry fruit. Wonderful purity and great potential
here. 93-95/100
La Vierge Seduction Pinot Noir 2012
Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge, South Africa
A cheaper Pinot that retails for 80 Rand in South Africa.
Supple, fresh, vivid and juicy with lively black cherry fruit and a
bit of grip. Very fresh and fruity. 89/100
La Vierge Jezebelle Chardonnay 2011
Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge, South Africa
This is part early picked tank fermented Chardonnay with barrel
fermented fruit from a few different pickings. The idea is to make
something a bit edgy. Very fresh and pure with bright, precise
citrus fruit and a spot of toastiness. Fresh with real precision.
Shows very fresh pear and citrus fruit. 92/100
La Vierge Satyricon 2010
Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge, South Africa
This is inexpensive (90 Rand), and it's a blend of Sangiovese,
Nebbiolo and Barbera, 100% stems and 100% natural ferment. Silky,
juicy, fresh and quite elegant. Lovely freshness here, but also a
warm, rounded, silky texture. So energetic and alive, showing nice
grip but also finesse and elegance. Edgy but silky. 95/100
La Vierge Nymphomane 2010
Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge, South Africa
A blend of Cabernets Sauvignon and Franc with Malbec. Lovely
pure blackcurrant and black cherry fruit . Supple rich and yet fresh
with real finesse and a smooth texture, as well as hints of chalk
and mint. A fine, fresh, elegant style. 94/100
La Vierge Anthelia 2009 Hemel-en-Aarde,
South Africa
77% Syrah with 23% Mourvedre. Rich and dense with lovely
blackberry and black cherry fruit coupled with savoury olive notes.
Spice and clove, too. Rich, structured and quite beautiful in the
mouth with good grip and some meaty notes. Finishes fresh. 92/100
See
also:
Visiting
Elim, South Africa (series)
The
Swartland Revolution
The
wines of Alheit Vineyards
Wines
tasted 09/12
Find these wines with wine-searcher.com
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