BEAUMONT WINES SCOOPS UP FOUR 5* AWARDS AT PLATTERS 2024
Beaumont Family Wines Chenin Blanc 2023 (89 pts)
In contrast to Hope Marguerite, no oak, 2023 is about varietal purity, focus. Crunchy apple & pear, hint of fennel, zinging freshness, sparks with life, vitality.
Beaumont Family Wines Hope Marguerite 2022 (95 pts)
Benchmark chenin, from low-yield single-vineyard planted 1974-1978, given deserved cellar respect. 26th vintage, 2022 wild fermented/11 months mainly older oak, ensuring expected richness & complexity: bruised apple & barley sugar, preserved quince. Packs lots of power into trim body, lifted by crisp acid, ending long. Great presence & character.
Beaumont Family Wines New Baby 2022 (96 pts)
Blend change in 2022, still chenin in lead, with sauvignon & colombard, from old vines (1974, 1983, 1988 respectively). No Semillon. 11 months seasoned oak but fruit holds centre stage; lemon & lime, some thatch & quince, taut & intense, especially on palate & finish. Mouth wateringly zesty.
Beaumont Family Wines Raoul's Red Blend 2022 (93 pts)
Honours the late Raoul Beaumont, winemaker Sebastian’s father. Changed blend for 2022 preview, syrah 47% with mourvèdre, 3 others. Brambly fruit, dried herbs, spice array from 16 months oak. Forthcoming perfume, packed with flavour despite its sleekness, rests on bed of amenable tannins. Does Raoul justice.
Beaumont Family Wines Jackals River Pinotage 2021 (89 pts)
Blueberries & salty liquorice, 2021’s 16 months in barrel added spice, buffed the firm but ripe tannin structure. Still tight, youthful, with good potential.
Beaumont Family Wines Dangerfield Syrah 2020 (93 pts)
Wild ferment, some wholebunch, 16 months barriques, 2020 classic syrah: pepper, brambleberry, smoky spice, dried scrub, mix of fruity & savoury, captured in succulent frame, ending very long. Just enough tannin to provide support, structure.
Beaumont Family Wines Ariane Cabernet Franc 2021 (95 pts)
100% cab franc since last 2019 (4.5 stars, 93 pts), previously 5-part Bordeaux blend. 2021 spent 14 months older barriques (just 2 produced) & has everything you’d want in a fine wine: classic red fruit, graphite, polish, nothing overt. Masterly tannin structure, fine grained, a lithe seam promising a distinguished future. Has finesse, grace.
Beaumont Family Wines Far Side Mourvèdre 2020 (94 pts)
Few single bottlings, named for winemaker’s favourite surf break. 2020 dark toned, dry scrub, charcuterie note, enough tannin for definition & ageing but without edges to bar current access. 20 months in barriques. Has personality & latent power.
Beaumont Family Wines Vitruvian 2019 (95 pts)
Eclectic flagship in best vintages only ‘to capture best of Beaumont in a blend’. 5 varieties in 2019, shiraz, mourvèdre, pinotage, 2 others, 2 years small-oak, 25% new. Lithe, but fruit carries it: raspberries & cherries, fresh & vibrant, tannin seam promising a future but already delicious. Wonderful finesse.
Beaumont Family Wines Goutte d’Or 2022 (93 pts)
Occasional release, Noble Late Harvest chenin requiring right growing conditions. 2022 has vivid fruit expression, dried stone fruit & pineapple, overlay of honeyed botrytis, savoury notes from 16 months in barrel. But real magic lies in racy acidity, lifting the sweetness. Irresistible. 375 ml.
Beaumont Family Wines Cape Vintage Foot Stomped 2018 (91pts)
“Port’ from 50/50 co-fermented tinta & pinotage, plenty of black-fruit succulence, whiffs of cinnamon hazelnut & rooibos tea, not overly sweet 375ml
Beaumont Family Wines Colombar 2022 (93 pts)
Vines planted 1988. Occasional release, last was 2019, which 2022 emulates. Light years from cheap & cheerful varietal renditions, this is elegant & stylish. Apple & white peach, lovely purity & focus, touch sugar fitting like a glove, plumping slim lines, finishing tangy. 11 months barrel regime not evident.
Beaumont Family Wines Grenache Noir 2022 (89 pts)
Just 2 barrels, bottled after 11 months, 2022 admirable typicity: red fruit, vivid cranberries & cherries, lightly spice-dusted, overall impression of tightly packed flavours & structure, still in prime of youth. Tannins present but supple, fruit’s the hero.
