The Brookdale Sixteen Field Blend 2022 is, like the maiden 2021, comprised of 16 different varietals, interplanted as bush vines on the estate and essentially seeks to recapture the lost art of field blend winemaking as practiced all over Europe in the last century before the rise of mono-culture winemaking. After planting the tagged vines, the individual varietal identifiers were removed so that the vineyard would be a truly blind field blend without any specific varieties being favoured.

The plantings in this special vineyard consist of Chenin Blanc, Piquepoul, Verdejo, Clairette Blanche, Pinot Gris, Macbao (Viura), Grenache, Semillon, Roussanne, Vermentino, Marsanne, Petit Manseng, Albariño, Palomino, Chardonnay and Grillo. Yup, I think that makes 16!

Brookdale Estate Sixteen Field Blend White 2022, WO Paarl, 13.5% Abv.

A pale crystalline lemon yellow colour, the aromatics are wonderfully cool, mineral and restrained showing top notes of the estate’s classical dusty granitic minerality before hints of dried hay, green baking herbs, dried fennel, jasmine, white peach and melted honey on warm white toast. Like the 2021, the wine displays a silky fresh textural palate with a fine harmonious weight of peach stone, apple pastille, nectarine and yellow orchard fruits underpinned by a spicy, liquid minerality and phenolic herbal spice on the long, sleek, alluring finish. Once again, a brilliantly conceived creation that speaks of the estate’s vineyards, vision and terroir over any specific varietal or winemaking characteristic. If you missed the impressive sell-out 2021 maiden release, then this delicious white is right up there again. Drink now and over 10 to 12+ years.

(Wine Safari Score: 95+/100 Greg Sherwood MW)

The Brookdale Estate wines are imported exclusively into the UK by South African fine wine specialist merchant Museum Wines.