Brothers Pierre and John Philip (JP) Winshaw released some beautiful wines with their maiden 2017 Charles and Bill Winshaw blends, both of which sold incredibly well. The range is continuously evolving and being fine tuned and this year sees another very impressive set of 2018 Cape Bordeaux blends but also a fabulous Malbec 2021 as well as a new edition to the range in the form of a pure Stellenbosch Cabernet Sauvignon.
The Winshaws combine traditional farming with grape growing on their Stellenbosch property Klein Welmoed, selling fruit to some of Stellenbosch’s most notable producers. But the brothers not only make their own wines under the Usana label, but they have also stepped up their focus on the more premium Winshaw Vineyards label. I tasted the current releases earlier this year with the Winshaw brothers ahead of the release of the wines in the UK.
Winshaw Vineyards Malbec 2021, WO Stellenbosch, 13.5% Abv.
This Malbec shows picante dark broody black fruits with lashings of black currant, black cherry, mocha chocolate and graphite spice. The texture is seductively inviting and accessible, beautifully silky soft and sleek with cool spicy blue and black berry fruits, crème de cassis, cherry kirsch liquor and a supple, dry mineral granitic finish. A very focused, fresh and elegant expression of Malbec. Drink now and over the next 5 to 8 years. (Only 1,300 bottles produced)
(Wine Safari Score: 94/100 Greg Sherwood MW)
Winshaw Vineyards ‘Bill Winshaw Cuvee’ 2018, WO Stellenbosch, 14% Abv.
A distinguished red blend made from 45% Cabernet Franc, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot and 10% Malbec that shows impressive aromatic lift, seductive perfume and attractive floral notes of violets, white flowers, sweet herbs, sun raisined black berries and subtle hints of balsamic, soy and black berry pastries. The entry is cool, soft and silky with classical Cabernet Franc elegance, a plush fleshy accessibility with inky, spicy layers of blueberry, black currant, sweet cedar and a supple creamy musky purple rock candy nuance on the elegant finish. So pretty and so harmonious with soft fresh acids, creamy plush tannins and a spicy, mineral finish. This is good to drink now and over the next 8 to 10+ years.
(Wine Safari Score: 94+/100 Greg Sherwood MW)
Winshaw Vineyards ‘Charles Winshaw Cuvee’ 2018, WO Stellenbosch, 14% Abv.
A blend of 66% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Merlot, 11% Cabernet Franc and 4% Malbec, the wine displays compact aromatics boasting broody black berry fruits with hints of purple flowers, blueberry, sweet raspberry herbal tea, crème de cassis and purple rock candy with a kiss of graphite. The palate shows more power, textural density and depth than the Bill Winshaw Cuvee but an equal amount of elegant harmonious black fruited breadth, creamy black cherry and a soft supple, inky saline black berry length. A really delicious expression of a Cabernet Sauvignon based Cape Bordeaux blend. Drink now and over the next 10 to 15 years.
(Wine Safari Score: 95+/100 Greg Sherwood MW)
Winshaw Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon 2021, WO Stellenbosch, 14.26% Abv.
A new edition to the Winshaw premium range being 100% pure Cabernet Sauvignon. This is a serious effort straight off the bat showing graphite, violets, crushed granite, pithy black cherry and subtle black chai tea notes covering a creamy tannin structure with a confident density, power and textural frame. Very precise, polished and pinpoint with impressively seamless acids and a beautifully supple, grippy mineral finish. Drink now and over the next 8 to 10+ years.
(Wine Safari Score: 92+/100 Greg Sherwood MW)
A selection of the Winshaw Vineyards wines are imported exclusively into the UK by South African specialist fine wine merchant Museum Wines. http://www.museumwines.co.uk