So Project Z is a rather rare set of wines, often aged in amphora and always in very small quantities. There were only a few cases of each of these in the UK. We thought the fairest and most fun thing to do was to do these in a set of five (one bottle of each).
The set includes
Project Z Chenin 2018
The Chenin comes from a 40 year old vineyard in the Firgrove region of Stellenbosch. the vineyard is clay and decomposed granite and has maritime influence from Atlantic Ocean at False Bay. The wine is complex and bursting with white fruits, heading into tropical fruit but with freshness as well. This is actually the same vineyard that makes the Family Reserve (which we had on offer last month).
The 2018 was scored 5 stars by the Platter Guide!! Very limited only 426 bottles made.
Project Z Chenin Skin Contact 2018
From the same vineyard as above. This was given 10 days skin contact so picks up lots of colour (orange wine) as well as a waxy pithy character over the top of white fruits, this extra skin contact extenuates the tropical streak really beautifully but also adds a salinity. The wine then went under a further 12 months ageing in amphorae. These orange wines are a little wild but very trendy at the moment but rightly so! A wine like this will be sure to get a room talking.
The 2018 was scored 4.5 Stars by the Platter guide. Very limited only 595 bottles made.
Project Z Grenache 2017
This is plusher than the 2016 and arguably with better balance. The wine was fermented in clay pots firstly the fermentation was done with carbonic maceration and then with light pump overs. It was then aged for 12 months in 500 litre amphorae. The resulting wine is decadent with a savoury core running through. The grapes were grown on an old 40 year bushvined vineyard in Darling, so also affected by a maritime influence from the Atlantic Ocean.
The 2017 was scored 5 stars by the Platter Guide!! Very limited only 563 bottles made.
Project Z Syrah 2017
This Syrah comes from a pretty rugged vineyard close to False Bays Atlantic Ocean. The vineyard is covered with massive lumps of broken shale. The was fermented in whole bunches and spent 12 months ageing in French oak barrels to soften down the tannins. The resulting wine has a a strong nod to the Northern Rhone and is exceptionally high in quality. It can comfortably stand shoulder too should with the very best Syrah in the Cape.
The 2017 was scored 5 stars by the Platter Guide!! Very limited only 1002 bottles made.
Project Z Sweet Fortified NV
This release honours the history of the Capes wines when sweet fortified wines were the norm. It is made from Chenin, Muscat, Viognier & Sauvignon Blanc and blended in a solera-style system which was started in 2015, this release has (2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018). The wine is aged in oak barrels and then every year a small number of bottles will be drawn off and then topped up with fresh wine from the current vintage. So the wine is lush and sweet but with great freshness and elegance.
The release was scored 4.5 stars by the Platter Guide!! Very limited only 957 bottles made.
