Nastergal

I have followed Stephanie’s wines since the early releases in circa 2015. A dynamic winemaker, she instantly joined the ranks of new top names to watch on the South African fine wine circuit. Within the Thistle & Weed range, consistency of quality has been impressive but of course certain wines have stolen the headlines, namely the Khakibos white blend and the uniquely European Nastergal red blend.

Within the Thistle & Weed brand, Stephanie partners up with famous viticulturalist Etienne Terblanche, who has long been the advisor to the stars including Chris Alheit and Meerlust Estate among many others. With their winemaking operations now based at the Jonkershoek farm ‘Leef op Hoop’, you can expect the wines to continue to focus on quality and individuality.

Stephanie recently changed UK importers and so was in London to present some of her new vintages. I caught up with Stephanie for lunch at famed London Michelin Star eatery La Trompette to taste a couple of her new wines but also to hear her plans for the future. We were hosted by Pieter Lemmer, co-owner of the Draaiboek Wines brand for which Stephanie is the winemaker. (New 2023 Onskuld and Kinkel Chardonnay notes to follow on the Fine Wine Safari soon!)

Thistle & Weed Khakibos 2023 White Blend, WO Western Cape, 13.5% Abv.

This 2023 white is a very classy Mediterranean blend built around 45% Verdelho and 19% Chenin Blanc with supporting roles from 15% Alvarinho, 11% Palomino and 10% Fernao Pirez. On the nose there are complex aromatics of lemon cream biscuits, warm buttered white toast, green pears and subtle musky white peach and nectarine nuances. The palate is impressively fleshy and concentrated, boasting a tangy, fresh textured mouthfeel loaded with yellow orchard fruits, green honeydew melon and Seville oranges on the finish. There is something delicately exotic about the flavour complexity that hints at a maritime salinity and a pithy, granitic spice beneath the cordial like fruit concentration. Beautifully balanced and harmonious in the mouth, this is a very accomplished white blend from Stephanie Wiid. Drink now on release and over 5 to 8 years.

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

Thistle & Weed Nastergal 2022 Red Blend, WO Western Cape, 14% Abv.

Much experimentation goes on in South Africa with red blends but few can match the Iberian Peninsula exoticism of the Nastergal 2022 red blend, made up of 31% Tempranillo, 27% Alicante Bouschet, 17% Souzao, 12% Pontac, 6% Tinta Francisca, 6% Touriga Nacional, and 1% Touriga Franca. A beautifully vibrant red wine with a purple / blue colour of Nastergal jam. The aromatics are rich and detailed showing bold notes salty black liquorice, sweet violets, black cherry compote, baked black plums, sweet molasses, salted caramel and blueberry nuances. The palate flavours are equally rich and expressive, Douro’esque in character with sweet creamy tannins, notes of gingerbread and exotic Christmas spices laced with sappy cedar oak notes and a sweet vanilla pod complexity on the finish. Supremely European in character, this an incredibly enticing creation to drink now and over the next 5 to 8 years. Tapas nibbles are optional!

(Wine Safari Score: 93+/100 Greg Sherwood MW)