The wines of Wolf and Woman, Swartland, South Africa
Website: https://wolfandwomanwines.com/
Jolandie Fouché is the woman behind Wolf and Woman. After a decent slice of experience working for other people, she returned to her Swartland roots and is making wines predominantly from here, but also with some grapes from Swartland Voor-Paardeberg and Piekenierskloof. The labels are quite distinctive and are based on a quote from Nkita Gill that her husband Gustav sent her: ‘Some days I am more wolf than woman and I am still learning how to stop apologizing for my wild.’
These wines are really impressive, in particular the Pinotage (one of South Africa’s very best) and the Syrah.
THE WINES
Wolf & Woman Grenache Blanc 2021 Voor-Paardeberg, South Africa
This wine is fermented in older 500 litre barrels straight from the press. Saline and taut with dried herbs, orange peel and some lovely citrus fruit. This has nice texture and purity coupled with depth. 94/100
Wolf & Woman Chenin Blanc 2021 Swartland, South Africa
From three vineyards which are all dryland bush vines. Two in the Paardeberg region on granitic soil (planted in 1971 and 1980) and the third north of Malmesbury in red iron-rich clay (planted 1981). Fermented and matured in a mix of 300 and 500 litre oak. Fine, textural and pure with refined citrus fruit, and some depth combined with freshness. So fine and textural. 94/100
Wolf & Woman Grenache Rosé 2022 Swartland, South Africa
12% alcohol. From the Paardeberg. Settled overnight after whole-bunch pressing then fermented in old 500 litre barrels. Supple and bright with nice mandarin and citrus. Has good weight. Sappy and detailed, and very refined. 92/100
Wolf & Woman Pinotage 2021 Swartland, South Africa
From a vineyard planted in the Paardeberg in 1973 on granite soils. Unirrigated bush vines. 15% whole bunch, the rest whole berry, and just one punch down a day during fermentation before going to 300 and 500 litre oak barrels (older). Very fine and sappy with lovely green hints as well as juicy cherries and plums. Has chalky structure under the bright, vivid fruit. So expressive with real elegance, as well as plenty of flavour. 95/100
Wolf & Woman Syrah 2021 Swartland, South Africa
This is from three vineyards and three soil types. 80% is from iron/clay, 10% from schist and 10% from granite. This is vivid, inky and powerful with lovely sweet black cherry fruit and some peppery brightness and really good structure. Fresh and elegant but also structured with real finesse. Grippy and delicious, this is wonderful. 96/100
An older note from April 2022:
Wolf & Woman Chenin Blanc 2020 Swartland, South Africa
13% alcohol. Jolandie Fouché is the winemaker behind Wolf & Woman, and she began making these wines in 2018. It’s sourced from three vineyards. Two of them are in the Paardeberg and were planted on granitic soils in 1971 and 1980, while the third is north of Malmesbury, planted in 1981 on iron-rich red soils. All three have just dry-grown bush vines. Natural ferment and ageing in neutral 300 and 500 litre barrels. It’s layered and quite complex with some salty notes under the crystalline citrus fruit, with contributions from green apple, pear and peach. Really nice balance and purity, with some fine spicy, mineral characters on the finish. An impressive newcomer. 94/100 (£19.68 Justerini & Brooks)
UK agent: Justerini & Brooks
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