THE KIN 2023
The Kin Colombar 2022 x 6
Grapes from our 34-year-old low yielding vineyard, planted by Raoul in 1988 and a regular portion of our New Baby blend. This is an intense white wine that uses the lovely natural acidity of the grape to keep it fresh and focused. I could happily drink it now but it will also mature beautifully over the next 3 – 5 years. One barrel produced The Kin Grenache 2022 x 6 Following in the footsteps of the first bottling of Grenache from the 2020 vintage. This wine was approved at the year-end gathering of Kin members on the farm. It is such a thrilling example of Grenache. Enticing fruit on the nose and the palate, with fine grainy tannins. This wine is smashable right now, or you can let it develop some secondary characters over the next few years. Two barrels produced Ariane Cabernet Franc 2021 x 3 The Ariane as a blend was first produced in 1998. Since then, it has evolved with the vintages and the maturation of the vines. The Kin has given me great opportunities to look at the single varietals that went into the blend. My favourite since 2004 has always been the Cabernet Franc portion, now a key element in the Vitruvian blend where it adds its distinct personality and beautiful perfume. This first version of the single cultivar bottling of Ariane is a lovely starting point. The 2021 vintage produced some intense wines with incredible purity and focus. These characters are captured in this wine. Enjoy now or let it be for a few years.
Two barrels produced
Hope Marguerite 2022 x 3 I am very excited to be releasing the 2022 Hope. It is slightly richer and fuller than the 2021. Surprisingly charming and inviting early on. I think it will evolve into another incredible expression of our two oldest Chenin Blanc vineyards. Hints of new wood are back in this vintage, adding another aromatic dimension and complimenting the full fruit flavours. A Decanter Magazine review has just scored both the straight Chenin and the Hope Marguerite 95 points. Once again, a little bit of recognition for the focus and effort we put into producing beautiful Chenin Blanc. Enjoy now, but will get better over the next 10 years.
Thirty-seven barrels produced Far Side Mourvèdre 2020 x 3 Although my favourite surf break on Onrus beach hasn’t been working very well over the last year or so, this pure expression of my favourite red grape shows pure Mourvèdre magic in the bottle. A mixture of spice and leafy characters is balanced out by dark fruit and fine grainy tannins. Medium weighted but full of layers of complexity. Please put it away for a few years to allow the wine to become silky and sumptuous. It will be worth it! Thirteen barrels produced Starboard NV (port style dessert wine) x 3 Officially not classified as a style of port because it is a 5-vintage blend. The first bottling of this wine was awarded Dessert Wine Of The Year in 2015 by Platter Wine Guide. I decided to keep back two barrels to allow for a little more maturation. This has resulted in a supremely polished and delicately delicious expression of the wine. Two barrels produced
