
The Eikeboom Winery Estate
Jannie is the 5th generation of Louws to have farmed Eikeboom (Eikeboom means “oak tree grove”), the ï¬rst being Jan Nicolaas in 1864. Known originally as de Eikenbomen, the farm has been in existence since the early 19th century, having been recorded by travellers at the time. It is beautifully situated near the small village of Hermon in the heart of the Boland, Western Cape, South Africa. The mountains, the Elandskloofberge, provide a spectacular visual backdrop.
Essentially a wheat farmer, Jannie has long had a passion for viticulture. Today he has resurrected the art of wine making as practised by his grandfather, Ou Jan ‘Ligtewyn’ whose reputation stemmed from the fact he produced a better quality vintage than normally obtained in the area at the time.
Jannie Louw is a Hobbyist winemaker. Jannie’s brother makes wine in Paarl at Baardeberg.
Production is low volume, high quality, in the garagiste style with Jannie taking meticulous care over all aspects. His range includes: Pinotage, Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, Chenin Blanc and Chardonnay.
The Eikeboom Winery Vineyards
The Farm is around 900 hectares (Sheep, wheat, Cattle, and grapes.)
30 hectares of grapes. Production about 1,000 cases in total.
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Franz Prager, co-founder of the Vinea Wachau, had already earned a reputation for his wines when Toni Bodenstein married into the family. Bodenstein’s passion for biodiversity and old terraces, coupled with brilliant winemaking, places Prager in the highest echelon of Austrian producers.
Smaragd is a designation of ripeness for dry wines used exclusively by members of the Vinea Wachau. The wines must have minimum alcohol of 12.5%. The grapes are hand-harvested, typically in October and November, and are sent directly to press where they spontaneously ferment in stainless-steel tanks.
Klaus sits adjacent to Achleiten and is one of the Wachau’s most famous vineyards for Riesling. The vineyard is incredibly steep with a gradient of 77% at its steepest point. The southeast-facing terraced vineyard of dark migmatite-amphibolite and paragneiss produces a tightly wound and powerful wine. The parcel belonging to Toni Bodenstein was planted in 1952.
Tasting Notes:
Austrian Riesling is often defined by elevated levels of dry extract thanks to a lengthy ripening period and freshness due to dramatic temperature swings between day and night. “Klaus is not a charming Riesling,” says Toni Bodenstein with a wink. Klaus is Prager’s most assertive and robust Riesling.
Food Pairing
Riesling’s high acidity makes it one of the most versatile wines at the table. Riesling can be used to cut the fattiness of foods such as pork or sausages and can tame some saltiness. Conversely, it can highlight foods such as fish or vegetables in the same way a squeeze of lemon or a vinaigrette might.
Review:
Superbly cool, restrained and refined, this austere, beautiful dry riesling is a slow-burn masterpiece that's only just beginning to reveal its complex white-peach, white-tea, wild-herb and dark-berry character. Super-long and mineral finish. Drink or hold.
-James Suckling 97 Points
The 2020 Skycrest Vineyard Chardonnay offers fresh Meyer lemon, quince and pear fruit notes alongside subtle sea spray and white lily. A note of flint minerality runs through the palate balancing the wine along with a bright focused acidity that highlights the incredible texture and produces an exceptionally long finish.
Review:
A light hazy yellow hue, the 2020 Chardonnay Skycrest Vineyard is a bit reserved at the moment, with yellow apple, chamomile, and lemon pith notes. The palate is more expressive, offering medium to full body and a supple texture, with a soft floral expression coming through in its notes of vanilla spice, lemon pastry, and almond. A gorgeous wine, it will take some time to open in the glass. Drink 2024-2032.
Jeb Dunnuck 93 Points
Beautiful aromas immediately waft out of the glass, recalling coconut, white orchid, lily of the valley, sea salt salinity and white peach. The palate is driven by steely acidity softened by balanced alcohol. It incorporates additional notes of lime leaf, lemongrass and blanched almond. The challenge is to delight in each nuanced detail, since the wine is just too delicious to stop sipping.
Editors' Choice Wine Enthusiast 93 Points