Wildeberg Strange Kompanjie, Palomino
Country: South Africa Region: Western Cape Region
Varietal: 100% Palomino Vintage: 2022
Producer: Wildeberg Wines Colour : White
Wine Maker: JD Rossouw
Description:
Wildeberg (‘wild mountain’) is literally a place ‘on the edge’, of Franschhoek and the mountains themselves. Formally an equestrian farm, the land has never before been planted under vine but this wild and magical mountain has an undefinable energy .
The fact that only 10% of the property itself can be planted underlines the wild character of this place.
The label reflects the wine's provenance high up on the Piekenierskloof plateau, where stumpy bush-vines appear frozen in poses of agony. Their meagre yield gives a wine that's bright, tangy, textural and distinctly salty on the finish.
On the fecund plateau of Piekenierskloof there exists some extraordinary bush. Dwarfish, seemingly petrified stumps punctuate a high rolling landscape of rye-grass and rooibos. Amongst these are old plantings of Grenache Noir, Chenin Blanc and, here and there, Palomino. Strange Kompanjie has isolated one such block for a teeny release of old vine Palomino, planted in 1977
Tasting Note:
Quiet on the nose and palate but persistent with notes of almond skin, fennel and even a little jasmine, all this follows on the palate with a bright natural acidity and a teasing top note of grassy fennel, almond nuttiness and the residual salinity of an old dry grown vineyard. Drink it slowly to take all this in
Food Matches: Simply cooked fish dishes, scallops or fishcakes or an asparagus and lemon risotto
