We are delighted to announce the release of a new producer to Ex Animo Wine Co.: Vulpes Wines by Nuschka de Vos.
Nuschka grew up on an organic farm in the Western Cape and has always been aware of the importance of sustainable farming. She has always wanted to make a wine which would satisfy her palate and also comply with her principles. Six years spent at Reyneke Wines further established these principles and also gave her the necessary experience to venture out on her own.
We are delighted to add Vuples Wines to our portfolio. We have known Nuschka for years and have always been impressed by her skill and dedication. Vintage 2023 is her second release, and she has added two wines to the range.
Chama Chenin Blanc 2023, WO Swartland
Velox Chenin Blanc 2023, WO Citrusdal Mountain
Cana Cabernet Sauvignon 2023, WO Stellenbosch
"Brilliant"
― Tim Atkin
De Vos is a Dutch-language surname meaning “the fox”, and Vulpes is the genus name for fox. Each wine is named after a different species of fox.
Volumes are minuscule for the 2023 vintage – although Velox will increase in vintage 2024. The two Chenins are very much in the ‘modern classic’ style – think Alheit, David and Nadia, Mullineux. The Stellenbosch Cabernet is not a traditionally-styled wine (and deliberately bottled in a non-standard claret bottle); it is almost more Cabernet Franc-like in its particular floral and spice character.
Named after Vulpes chama – Cape fox. The Cape fox is only found in Southern Africa, including Zimbabwe, Botswana, and South Africa.
Grapes from two different parcels in the Paardeberg, the grapes were picked 10days apart and whole bunched pressed, rough settled overnight and naturally fermented in 228L 6th fill French barrels. Picked a little later this vintage. After MLF the wine was racked of the gross lees, SO2 added and put back on the fine lees for aging. Bottled on the 19th of January.
Christian Eedes, Winemag.co.za: Peach, soft citrus, earth and a touch of spice on the nose while the palate is rich and relatively broad with seemingly moderate acidity. Intensely flavoured and multifaceted, the finish savoury. Presents as just a little riper than 2022.
95pt
Tim Atkin MW: It’s pithy, stony and very mineral with oatmeal, citrus and saffron complexity. A very good follow up to the maiden release. 2024-29
94pt
Named after Vulpes velox – Swift fox. The swift fox is found in the western grasslands of North America.
Grapes from Pietersklip Farm (20 year old vines). 70cm sand topsoil with a clay base, somewhat trellised and irrigated when needed. Picked at 4am and driven straight to the cellar at first light, the grapes were 100% whole bunched pressed, rough settled and naturally fermented in a 5th fill 300L barrel. Once MLF was completed, the wine was racked off the gross lees, SO2 and put back into barrel to age on the fine lees until January, bottled on the 19th of January. Only 300bt produced.
Christian Eedes, Winemag.co.za: Pear, peach, lime, hay and herbs on the nose. The palate is super-concentrated with crisp acidity and a lightly grippy quality to the finish. Poised and taut with great length.
96pt
Tim Atkin MW: New to the Vulpes range, this brilliant Citrusdal Mountains’ Chenin Blanc uses fruit from rooibos tea farmer Johan Ferreira’s vines at 600 metres on Table Mountain sandstone. Showing some struck match reduction, mouth-watering acidity, lemon, aniseed and understated sweet spices, it’s a stunning début from Nuschka de Vos. 2024-30 95pt
Named after Vulpes cana – Blanford’s fox. Blanford’s fox is native to the Middle East, including Iran, Israel, Afghanistan, Egypt, and Pakistan.
From Polkadraai Hills, Uitzicht Farm (25 year old vines), biodynamically farmed. On decomposed granite west facing slope. 100% Destemmed, inoculated with a certified organic yeast, punch downs once a day and two pump overs during the whole fermentation. Once ferment was completely dry, the wine was drained off, allowed to settle for two days and then racked to two 225L 6th fill barrels. MLF completed naturally and then racked off the lees, SO2 added and put back to barrel until January 2023. The wine was bottled on the 19th of January.
Alc % 13.1 | pH 3.61 | TA 5.6 | RS 1.6
Christian Eedes, Winemag.co.za: Violets, plum, cassis, earth and a slightly wild, hard-to-describe edge. Medium bodied and yet intensely flavoured. Pure fruit and fresh acidity before a super-dry finish.
92pt
Tim Atkin MW: Intense, firm and comparatively chewy, it has subtle older wood, damson and cranberry flavours and a taut, focused finish. 2024-28
91pt
Vulpes | First vintage with Ex Animo 2024
We are delighted to announce the release of a new producer to Ex Animo Wine Co.: Vulpes Wines by Nuschka de Vos.
Nuschka grew up on an organic farm in the Western Cape and has always been aware of the importance of sustainable farming. She has always wanted to make a wine which would satisfy her palate and also comply with her principles. Six years spent at Reyneke Wines further established these principles and also gave her the necessary experience to venture out on her own.
We are delighted to add Vuples Wines to our portfolio. We have known Nuschka for years and have always been impressed by her skill and dedication. Vintage 2023 is her second release, and she has added two wines to the range.
Chama Chenin Blanc 2023, WO Swartland
Velox Chenin Blanc 2023, WO Citrusdal Mountain
Cana Cabernet Sauvignon 2023, WO Stellenbosch
"Brilliant"
― Tim Atkin
De Vos is a Dutch-language surname meaning “the fox”, and Vulpes is the genus name for fox. Each wine is named after a different species of fox.
Volumes are minuscule for the 2023 vintage – although Velox will increase in vintage 2024. The two Chenins are very much in the ‘modern classic’ style – think Alheit, David and Nadia, Mullineux. The Stellenbosch Cabernet is not a traditionally-styled wine (and deliberately bottled in a non-standard claret bottle); it is almost more Cabernet Franc-like in its particular floral and spice character.
THE WINES:
R385.00Add to basket
Vulpes 'Chama' Chenin Blanc 2023
Named after Vulpes chama – Cape fox. The Cape fox is only found in Southern Africa, including Zimbabwe, Botswana, and South Africa.
Grapes from two different parcels in the Paardeberg, the grapes were picked 10days apart and whole bunched pressed, rough settled overnight and naturally fermented in 228L 6th fill French barrels. Picked a little later this vintage. After MLF the wine was racked of the gross lees, SO2 added and put back on the fine lees for aging. Bottled on the 19th of January.
Christian Eedes, Winemag.co.za:
Peach, soft citrus, earth and a touch of spice on the nose while the palate is rich and relatively broad with seemingly moderate acidity. Intensely flavoured and multifaceted, the finish savoury. Presents as just a little riper than 2022.
95pt
Tim Atkin MW:
It’s pithy, stony and very mineral with oatmeal, citrus and saffron complexity. A very good follow up to the maiden release. 2024-29
94pt
R385.00Read more
Vulpes 'Velox' Chenin Blanc 2023
Named after Vulpes velox – Swift fox. The swift fox is found in the western grasslands of North America.
Grapes from Pietersklip Farm (20 year old vines). 70cm sand topsoil with a clay base, somewhat trellised and irrigated when needed. Picked at 4am and driven straight to the cellar at first light, the grapes were 100% whole bunched pressed, rough settled and naturally fermented in a 5th fill 300L barrel. Once MLF was completed, the wine was racked off the gross lees, SO2 and put back into barrel to age on the fine lees until January, bottled on the 19th of January. Only 300bt produced.
Christian Eedes, Winemag.co.za:
Pear, peach, lime, hay and herbs on the nose. The palate is super-concentrated with crisp acidity and a lightly grippy quality to the finish. Poised and taut with great length.
96pt
Tim Atkin MW:
New to the Vulpes range, this brilliant Citrusdal Mountains’ Chenin Blanc uses fruit from rooibos tea farmer Johan Ferreira’s vines at 600 metres on Table Mountain sandstone. Showing some struck match reduction, mouth-watering acidity, lemon, aniseed and understated sweet spices, it’s a stunning début from Nuschka de Vos. 2024-30
95pt
R420.00Add to basket
Vulpes 'Cana' Cabernet Sauvignon 2023
Named after Vulpes cana – Blanford’s fox. Blanford’s fox is native to the Middle East, including Iran, Israel, Afghanistan, Egypt, and Pakistan.
From Polkadraai Hills, Uitzicht Farm (25 year old vines), biodynamically farmed. On decomposed granite west facing slope. 100% Destemmed, inoculated with a certified organic yeast, punch downs once a day and two pump overs during the whole fermentation. Once ferment was completely dry, the wine was drained off, allowed to settle for two days and then racked to two 225L 6th fill barrels. MLF completed naturally and then racked off the lees, SO2 added and put back to barrel until January 2023. The wine was bottled on the 19th of January.
Alc % 13.1 | pH 3.61 | TA 5.6 | RS 1.6
Christian Eedes, Winemag.co.za:
Violets, plum, cassis, earth and a slightly wild, hard-to-describe edge. Medium bodied and yet intensely flavoured. Pure fruit and fresh acidity before a super-dry finish.
92pt
Tim Atkin MW:
Intense, firm and comparatively chewy, it has subtle older wood, damson and cranberry flavours and a taut, focused finish. 2024-28
91pt