Highlights: Swerwer Rooi Groen Skins 2021, Swartland, South Africa
Swerwer (Nomad / Wanderer) is Jasper Wickens project in the Swartland, and this Rooi Groen (red-green) Skins version is an edgier version of his classic Rooi Groen, initially developed for the Japanese Market in 2017. Rooi Groen refers to the grape, Sémillon Gris, a rare mutation of Sémillon developed over centuries in South Africa, resulting in red-pink grapes. These 10 year old vineyards were planted with massale selection material from a 1963 vineyard, with John Secombe taking the majority of the fruit for Tin Soldier.
As the name suggests, this version spent some time on skins, ranging from 2-3 days pre-ferment, 3-7 days during ferment, or up to 20 days post-ferment, after which each lot rests 6 months in old oak prior to the final blend. It is bottled without any additional SO2. This slip of a wine glows orange and is super textural, with tangerine pith and peel, pear skin, and subtle quince, spiced with herbal rooibos tea, and finishing with lingering salinity. 92/100
Find these wines with wine-searcher.com
