Winemaking duo Julien and Sophie Schaal were in South Africa recently for the 2024 harvest. They impressed us (and the critics!) with wines that are classically executed and just a lot of fun to drink: fresh, vivid and accessible.
Julien and Sophie make wines in two hemispheres: Grand Cru Rieslings from Alsace (unfortunately, sold out) and a selection of wines from the Cape.
The pair have been making wine in South Africa since 2005, and so we’ve bestowed upon them honorary South African citizenship (although they politely declined our green passport).
Exceptional quality that is not
often found at these prices
The ‘Born of Fire’ wines are Sophie’s homage to Cape Fynbos, and its ability to thrive after a wildfire. She says the wines are about something beautiful coming from destruction.
The new Mountain Range Pinot Noir – now using fruit from Walker Bay, including the Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge – is a standout.
The SA wines from Julien and Sophie show the same hallmarks as their imports: quality, balance, complexity and an absolute pleasure to drink.
"Given the pedigree, with effectively almost 20 years making wine in South Africa and 25 years in Alsace...these are wines to watch"
― Daléne Fourie, News24
"I was mightily impressed with all of Julien and Sophie Schaal’s wines: I simply could not believe that their finely oaked, still luminously fresh Elgin-origin chardonnay could retail for under R200. I was equally astonished at the layered complexity of their Born of Fire chenin blanc, nuanced, detailed, textured and very complete. Their pinot noir, which lands up on shelf for about R200, shames most of the wines selling for twice that price from better-known cellars."
A focus on the fruit, not oak, makes for a refreshing and balanced wine. It’s a crowd-friendly Chardonnay that still pleases the hard-core wine lovers.
Christian Eedes, Winemag.co.za “From Elgin fruit. Matured for 12 months in barrel, 10% new. Struck-match reduction before green apple, citrus and a trace of leesy complexity. The palate is light but not too light – great fruit definition, fresh acidity and a savoury finish. As ever, a nicely understated, well balanced wine.”
"The 2022 Mountain Vineyards range includes a Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from Elgin fruit, both much lauded for their Old World charm, being beautifully in balance, with an understated complexity, easy to enjoy, and gobsmackingly well-priced..."
Julien returns to his early days in Walker Bay when he first worked at Bouchard Finlayson. It ticks all the boxes for a Pinot Noir from an incredible region, without hitting you too hard in the pocket.
Christian Eedes, Winemag.co.za “Previously from Elgin, this vintage incorporates grapes from Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge as well as the wider Walker Bay area. Some 10 – 20% whole-bunch fermentation before maturation in 25% new oak. Black cherry, violets and spice on the nose while the palate is balanced – good fruit expression and bright acidity before some light tannic grip on the finish. Really well judged.”
Schaal ‘Born of Fire’ Chenin Blanc 2022
Voor Paardeberg 100% Chenin Blanc Certified Organic
An intense Chenin Blanc with concentrated fruit, balanced with a shimmering freshness. It’s a quality Chenin Blanc at a phenomenal price – an everyday wine, but by no means ordinary.
Christian Eedes, Winemag.co.za “Grapes from Voor Paardeberg. Partly matured in barrel. Pear, peach and floral perfume on the nose. The palate is fruit-led but not facile – pure, fresh and pithy.”
Voor Paardeberg 100% Chenin Blanc Certified Organic
Keep this spicy and slightly chewy Syrah for another year or two – if you can wait that long!. Drink it this winter with a rich lamb shank and you’ll be delighted.
Christian Eedes, Winemag.co.za “Grapes again from Leeuwenkuil. Matured for 18 months in barrel, approximately 20% new. A top note of lavender before dark berries, earth and pepper. The palate combines depth and freshness – dense fruit, bright acidity and nicely grippy tannins. 92/100.”
Daléne Fourie, News24 “The Syrah is vibrant, the balance of fruit and acid making for a textured finish, though the line of spice kept pulling at my attention.”
Julien and Sophie Schaal: New Releases
JULIEN & SOPHIE SCHAAL
New Releases
Winemaking duo Julien and Sophie Schaal were in South Africa recently for the 2024 harvest. They impressed us (and the critics!) with wines that are classically executed and just a lot of fun to drink: fresh, vivid and accessible.
Julien and Sophie make wines in two hemispheres: Grand Cru Rieslings from Alsace (unfortunately, sold out) and a selection of wines from the Cape.
The pair have been making wine in South Africa since 2005, and so we’ve bestowed upon them honorary South African citizenship (although they politely declined our green passport).
Exceptional quality that is not
often found at these prices
The ‘Born of Fire’ wines are Sophie’s homage to Cape Fynbos, and its ability to thrive after a wildfire. She says the wines are about something beautiful coming from destruction.
The new Mountain Range Pinot Noir – now using fruit from Walker Bay, including the Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge – is a standout.
The SA wines from Julien and Sophie show the same hallmarks as their imports: quality, balance, complexity and an absolute pleasure to drink.
"Given the pedigree, with effectively almost 20 years making wine in South Africa and 25 years in Alsace...these are wines to watch"
― Daléne Fourie, News24
"I was mightily impressed with all of Julien and Sophie Schaal’s wines: I simply could not believe that their finely oaked, still luminously fresh Elgin-origin chardonnay could retail for under R200. I was equally astonished at the layered complexity of their Born of Fire chenin blanc, nuanced, detailed, textured and very complete. Their pinot noir, which lands up on shelf for about R200, shames most of the wines selling for twice that price from better-known cellars."
― Michael Fridjhon, Business Day
The wines
R195.00Add to basket
Julien Schaal ‘Mountain Vineyards’ Chardonnay 2023
Elgin fruit
100% Chardonnay
A focus on the fruit, not oak, makes for a refreshing and balanced wine. It’s a crowd-friendly Chardonnay that still pleases the hard-core wine lovers.
Christian Eedes, Winemag.co.za
“From Elgin fruit. Matured for 12 months in barrel, 10% new. Struck-match reduction before green apple, citrus and a trace of leesy complexity. The palate is light but not too light – great fruit definition, fresh acidity and a savoury finish. As ever, a nicely understated, well balanced wine.”
"The 2022 Mountain Vineyards range includes a Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from Elgin fruit, both much lauded for their Old World charm, being beautifully in balance, with an understated complexity, easy to enjoy, and gobsmackingly well-priced..."
― Daléne Fourie, News24
R195.00Read more
Julien Schaal ‘Mountain Vineyards’ Pinot Noir 2023
WO Walker Bay
Julien returns to his early days in Walker Bay when he first worked at Bouchard Finlayson. It ticks all the boxes for a Pinot Noir from an incredible region, without hitting you too hard in the pocket.
Christian Eedes, Winemag.co.za
“Previously from Elgin, this vintage incorporates grapes from Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge as well as the wider Walker Bay area. Some 10 – 20% whole-bunch fermentation before maturation in 25% new oak. Black cherry, violets and spice on the nose while the palate is balanced – good fruit expression and bright acidity before some light tannic grip on the finish. Really well judged.”
Schaal ‘Born of Fire’ Chenin Blanc 2022
Voor Paardeberg
100% Chenin Blanc
Certified Organic
An intense Chenin Blanc with concentrated fruit, balanced with a shimmering freshness. It’s a quality Chenin Blanc at a phenomenal price – an everyday wine, but by no means ordinary.
Christian Eedes, Winemag.co.za
“Grapes from Voor Paardeberg. Partly matured in barrel. Pear, peach and floral perfume on the nose. The palate is fruit-led but not facile – pure, fresh and pithy.”
R200.00Add to basket
Schaal ‘Born of Fire’ Syrah 2021
Voor Paardeberg
100% Chenin Blanc
Certified Organic
Keep this spicy and slightly chewy Syrah for another year or two – if you can wait that long!. Drink it this winter with a rich lamb shank and you’ll be delighted.
Christian Eedes, Winemag.co.za
“Grapes again from Leeuwenkuil. Matured for 18 months in barrel, approximately 20% new. A top note of lavender before dark berries, earth and pepper. The palate combines depth and freshness – dense fruit, bright acidity and nicely grippy tannins. 92/100.”
Daléne Fourie, News24
“The Syrah is vibrant, the balance of fruit and acid making for a textured finish, though the line of spice kept pulling at my attention.”
Schaal Wines | Mixed 6-pack
Contains:
2 bt Schaal ‘Born of Fire’ Chenin Blanc 2022
2 bt Julien Schaal ‘Mountain Vineyards’ Pinot Noir 2023
2 bt Julien Schaal ‘Mountain Vineyards’ Chardonnay 2023
***R120 discount for a limited period***
View Schaal Wines in the shop
Julien Schaal Riesling Mixed Case 2024
R2,220.00Original price was: R2,220.00.R2,109.00Current price is: R2,109.00.Julien Schaal Alsace Grand Cru ‘Sommerberg’ Riesling 2023
R370.00Sophie Schaal ‘Born of Fire’ Syrah 2021
R200.00Sophie Schaal ‘Born of Fire’ Chenin Blanc 2024
R200.00Julien Schaal Alsace Grand Cru ‘Schoenenbourg’ Riesling 2023
R370.00Julien Schaal ‘Evidence’ Chardonnay 2023
R370.00Please contact david@exanimo.co.za if you have any queries.