Ex Animo is proud to present the 2024 release of Jessica Saurwein’s range.

Jessica started Saurwein in 2015 and has recently completed her 10th vintage. She handcrafts three wines under the Saurwein label: two Pinot Noirs and one Riesling.

Ex Animo started working with Jessica’s wines in 2021. We had been paying close attention to Saurwein for some years, and were very impressed not only with what she was putting in bottle, but also her passion for and commitment to quality.

Over the years Jessica’s wines have received repeated acclaim and praise from the likes of Jancis Robinson MW, Christian Eedes, Jamie Goode, Tim Atkin MW, Greg Sherwood MW, Neal Martin and more. The Chi Riesling has become a staple on many of the top wine lists in South Africa, and the two Pinot Noirs continue to be among the best in the country.

4 x ‘Chi’ Riesling 2024
1 x ‘Nom’ Elandskloof Pinot Noir 2023
1 x ‘Om’ Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge Pinot Noir 2023

*5% Discount & free delivery**

W.O. Elgin & Hemel-en-Aarde Valley

60% of the blend’s fruit comes from Casey’s Ridge Vineyard, Elgin on loamy and very rocky red slate soils. The other 40% of the blend De Bos Vineyard, Hemel-en-Aarde Valley on decomposed Bokkeveld Shale and Sandstone.

2024 was a great vintage with long, cool ripening

Grapes were hand-picked, cooled, then hand-sorted, destemmed and pressed. Spontaneous fermentation took place in stainless steel tanks, which lasted about 4 weeks until optimal residual sugar balance achieved at about 11,5 g/ l. The wine was bottled after 2 months in tank.

Fragrant citrus blossom, yellow flowers and citrus, white pear, ginger, flint.

Christian Eedes, Winemag.co.za:
“For the first time, 40% of grapes were sourced from Hemel-en-Aarde Valley in addition to 60% from Elgin as has been the case in the past. Hints of jasmine, pear, lime and green apple on the nose. Good fruit concentration, driving acidity and a pithy finish. Lovely balance and vibrancy without being too insubstantial – alcohol is 11% and RS is 11.5g/l. 93/100.”

Because bigger is always better Jessica has bottled a few precious magnums!

W.O. Elandskloof
12 barrels produced

Kaaimansgat Vineyard, Elandskloof Valley, Villiersdorp. The soil is shale origin with a significant portion of granite in the topsoil and clay throughout. This vineyard lies at 700 m above sea- level and is surrounded by tall mountains, making for a unique terroir ideal for the optimal ripening of this cultivar. The vineyard was planted in 2008.

Vintage 2023: This was a superb vintage with good conditions for set and ripening. The wine is graceful and poised. The tannin is silky, medium-grained and is supported by fresh acidity, which brings the desired tension and a sense of weightlessness.

Grapes are hand-picked, hand-sorted, grapes are cold-soaked, fermentation is spontaneous, post-fermentation maceration is complete when the tannins are optimal and the wine spent 10 months in 228 litre French oak barrels (26% new and older).

Mixed red and dark berry fruit, rose hip, lifted cocoa, typical and the unique orange rind character imparted by the vineyard site. Red and black cherry fruit, umami, roasted chestnuts, silky medium grained tannins, balanced acidity and the wine will gather further complexity with age.

Christian Eedes, Winemeag.co.za
“Matured for 10 months in 228-litre barrels, partially % new. Musk, cherry, a hint of orange and white pepper on the nose. The palate is pure and fresh with crunchy tannins – light and vital yet no shortage of flavour. Poised and elegant. 93/100. “

W.O. Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge
14 barrels produced

This dryland vineyard is situated just 12 km from the sea and lies at 300 m above sea-level. The soils are granite origin with a significant portion of clay in the subsoil. The vineyard was planted in 2006.

Vintage 2023: It was a late vintage, with great ripening conditions and very healthy fruit. The wine was picked in two batches from two vineyard sites just 100 meters from each other. The resultant wine from these two sites is energetic, concentrated and has a great fresh acidity and beautiful ageing potential.

Grapes are hand-picked, hand-sorted, grapes are cold-soaked, fermentation is spontaneous, post-fermentation maceration is complete when the tannins are optimal, and the wine matured for 10 months in 228 liter French oak barrels (new and older).

Red berry fruit, strawberries, red and black cherries, plums, exotic spices. The wine is red fruited with lots of red berries, spices and some “fynbos” (wild herb character), fruit-coated and fine tannin and a crisp acidity.

Christian Eedes, Winemag.co.za:
“Matured for 10 months in 228-litre barrels, partially new. Dark cherry, earth and spice. The palate has impressive structure – good fruit density, fresh acidity and firm but not coarse tannins, the finish deeply savoury. 94/100.”