Packwood: wines from Pletternberg Bay, South Africa

Packwood are based at the far east of Western Cape, on the Garden Route, in a small wine appellation called Plettenberg Bay. This is an isolated region in wine terms, with no neighbours. I tried three of their wines, and here are my notes.

Packwood Sauvignon Blanc 2017 Plettenberg Bay, South Africa
12% alcohol. Lively and zesty with intense citrus fruit, and some pear and green pepper notes, as well as some mineral spiciness. There’s great concentration of flavour here and it really works. Such piercing acidity, but it doesn’t stick out too much. There’s some green here, but not too much. 89/100

Packwood Chardonnay 2018 Plettenberg Bay, South Africa
11.5% alcohol. This is lean and crisp with keen acidity to the lemony fruit, but there’s also a subtle toasty, nutty edge from the oak that broadens out the palate. Finishes very fresh, with a slight buttery edge. Some pear, too. This is quite sophisticated, and I like the acid line. 88/100

Packwood Blanc de Noir 2018 Plettenberg Bay, South Africa
11.5% alcohol. Pinot Noir, whole bunch pressed and matured in barrel. It has an intriguing nose of toast, spice, quince and red cherries. The palate shows keen acidity with a toasty, spicy framing of the pear and cherry fruit, with a hint of apricot and rhubarb, too. An intriguing dry rosé with a nice savoury edge to it. 87/100

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