GRENACHE Noir is referred to as the ‘abalone' of South African grapes, according to De Kleine Wijn Kelder on the Tulbagh farm Drie Fonteine. “So skaars soos hoendertande,” says winemaker Wynand Grobler, “as scarce as hens' teeth.” Which gave rise to the name of the wine, of which the 2023 vintage WO Voor-Paardeberg was scored 96/100 and rated Grenache of the Year in the 2026 edtion of Platter's SA Wine Guide – the bottles sold in wrapping featuring an artwork depicting troops marching off to battle, ready to fight for the vineyards.
The grapes were particularly hard to come by for the maiden vintage, 2018, which originated in Franschhoek. “The style has always been to respect the vineyard, so no new oak, natural ferments, manual punch-downs and no fining,” says Grobler. Franschhoek grapes were last used for the 2022 vintage, but Grobler and the team are veering away from using them again, as they felt the wine was a bit too generic, and/but they're continuing to source from Piekenierskloof, from Voor-Paardeberg in Paarl, e.g. for the highly acclaimed 2023 vintage, and, next up, from Tulbagh, to be released later in 2026.
“The Voor-Paardeberg wine stands out because of the granite soils, the Tulbagh wine stands out because of the Schist soils and the Piekenierskloof wine because of the Sandstone influence,” says Grobler. There wasn't a Hoendertande Grenache from the 2021 vintage. In other years there are two or three – the crossover gives wine enthusiasts the opportunity to experience serious Grenache wines made in a similar way and in the same year while showcasing different areas.
Hoendertande Grenache 2023
WO Voor-Paardeberg, Paarl. Grapes from vineyards planted in early-2000s – youngest 20 years old – in soil comprising decomposed granite on hillsides between the towns of Paarl and Malmesbury. Winemaking done by hand. Gravity-flow cellar. About 80% whole-bunch pressed. Natural fermentation (wild yeasts) in open-top fermenters with two punch-downs a day for seven days. After basket pressing, the wine was aged in old 300L French oak barrels for 12 months. Total production: ±4000 bottles.
Alc 13.9 | RS 1.6 | TA 5.8 | pH 3.42
From the winemaker's tasting notes: Red cherry and strawberry plus a subtle earthy note on the nose. Light-bodied, with fresh acidity and very fine tannins. A slightly spicy quality to the finish.
R300pb ex-cellar, Tulbagh
