We are kicking off our 2022 releases with the highly anticipated new HOGAN WINES (including the Platter’s 5 Star Divergent 2019) made by the irrepressible Jocelyn Wilson.
About Hogan Wines
Jocelyn makes her wines in the Banhoek Valley, but sources grapes from various regions. No yeast is used, and minimal new oak. In her own words:
“Each bottle of wine should contain the unique story of its vintage.
For us, making wine right now in South Africa, is about being part of a revolution that is changing the ideals of winemaking. It is shifting the emphasis back to the farmers and the small-scale wine producers, who in their separation of laudable vineyards and attention to small batches of wine, are able to showcase the best South Africa has to offer.
We feel wine should be a history lesson of what the vine has experienced over the year, whether good or bad. No year is ever the same. Our wines are never going to be consistent. We don’t want to make wine to a recipe; we want to make natural, site-specific, vintage driven wines.
We’ve selected vineyards suited in terms of climate and soil to the varietals we make. We’ve looked for older vines which tell the story of the vintage through their well-established root systems, gnarled trunks and lower yields.”
“…all [Jocelyn’s] wines have a quiet classiness about them…”
― Christian Eedes, Winemag
History
Jocelyn was appointed Head Winemaker of La Bri in Franschhoek straight after graduating from Stellenbosch. She made several critically-acclaimed vintages there before deciding to take a break from vinous pursuits to start a family.
She burst back on the scene a few years later at Cape Wine 2015 brandishing her new Hogan Chenin Blanc 2014 from a single site in the Swartland – which quickly sold out.
Since then she has added several other wines to her range.
Divergent – originally inspired by the old great South African Cabernet Sauvignon/Cinsaut blends of yesteryear; and then diverted into including Carignan by a tasting with the late, great Serge Hochar of Chateau Musar. This 2019 vintage was awarded 5 Stars in 2022 Platter’s Guide. Jocelyn holds this wine back by a year (compared with her others) as the tannins need extra time in bottle to harmonise.
The Galvanised Chardonnay – named after a pumping Chemical Brothers track that helps Jocelyn get through harvest during late night pressing sessions. Also alludes to the blending of the different parcels being “stronger” than any one of them individually.
Mirror For The Sun Cabernet Franc – a vineyard at the top of the Helderberg with another musical reference, this time from the Red Hot Chili Peppers. It refers to the leaf-plucking Jocelyn employs in the vineyard so the grapes can soak up the sun in an attempt get rid of any aggressive pyrazine character (greenness).
The grapes were sourced from three different sites. The Helderberg portion was picked on 23 January from Rustenhof farm. This is a young-trellised vineyard on decomposed granite soils. The Banhoek portion was picked on 18 Feburary from Summercourt farm. This is a 16-year-old, trellised vineyard on a richer, clay soil. The Elandskloof portion, from a cool, high-altitude site, was picked on 13 March.
Grapes went into a cold room overnight at 10 degrees Celsius. The following day, the grapes were gently whole bunch pressed. The juice was settled overnight at 10 degrees. It then went to barrel for natural fermentation in 100% old French oak barrels followed by natural malolactic fermentation. As little batonage as possible. 11 months in oak.
Awards/Ratings
Tim Atkin South Africa 2021 Special report: 92 points
Platter’s Guide 2022: 94 points (4.5 stars)
Winemag: 93 points
The Chenin blanc grapes were handpicked in early February from old, bush vines, planted on decomposed granite from Joubertskloof in Swartland, delivering only 2 tons/ha (11hL/ha). The vineyard block is irrigated and is east facing which contributes to the favourably low pH.
After picking, the grapes were then cooled overnight to 10 degrees celcius and hand-sorted the next day followed by a gentle whole bunch press. No sulphur or any other additions were made to the must at pressing. Natural fermentation took place in 225L and 300L French oak barrels followed by natural malolactic fermentation (after which the wine received the first sulphur addition). The wine was racked off the gross lees in early January 2021 and bottled later that month.
Awards/Ratings
Tim Atkin South Africa 2021 Special report: September 2021: 93 points
Platter’s Guide 2022: 93 points (4.5 stars)
Winemag: 95 points
The Cabernet Franc grapes are sourced from 11-year-old, trellised vines from the lower Helderberg on granitic soils. The vineyard is 2km from the coast. The maritime effect is most favourable, especially in the hot February-March months in Stellenbosch. Leaf removal in the bunch zone (during November/December) is an important practice in this vineyard to let enough sun in to prevent vegetal flavours.
The grapes were picked on 12 February 2020. They were sorted and crushed (no whole bunch). Spontaneous fermentation took place in open top fermenters with very soft handling during fermentation, only two punch downs per day. The wine was matured in 225L older French oak barrels, and was only racked once, in June after malolactic fermentation. The wine was sent thorough a rough filter before bottling in January 2021.
Awards/Ratings
Tim Atkin South Africa 2020 Special report: September 2021: 93 points
Platter’s Guide 2022: 94 points (4.5 stars)
Winemag: 90 points
The Divergent blend comprises of 34% Cabernet Sauvignon, 34% Cinsaut and 32% Carignan. The Carignan was picked first towards the end of January from 16 year old, unirrigated bush vines from Wellington. The Cinsaut, from the Helderberg region, was then picked in mid – February. These are 44-year old, unirrigated bush vines. Lastly, the Cabernet Sauvignon was picked early-March from 20-year old trellised and irrigated vines at 295m alititude on from the Stellenbosch region (Polkadraai)
All components were crushed and destemmed (except for the Cinsaut which was 30% whole bunch) and naturally fermented. After fermentation the different varietals were pressed and kept separate in 225L barrels. In June the barrels were first racked and the Divergent blend was made up in August after which the wine spent a further 4 months in barrel until bottling early January 2020.
Awards/Ratings
Tim Atkin South Africa 2020 Special report: September 2020: 91 points
Platter’s Guide 2022: 95 points (5 stars)
Winemag: 94 points
Hogan Wines: 2022 Release
We are kicking off our 2022 releases with the highly anticipated new HOGAN WINES (including the Platter’s 5 Star Divergent 2019) made by the irrepressible Jocelyn Wilson.
About Hogan Wines
Jocelyn makes her wines in the Banhoek Valley, but sources grapes from various regions. No yeast is used, and minimal new oak. In her own words:
“Each bottle of wine should contain the unique story of its vintage.
For us, making wine right now in South Africa, is about being part of a revolution that is changing the ideals of winemaking. It is shifting the emphasis back to the farmers and the small-scale wine producers, who in their separation of laudable vineyards and attention to small batches of wine, are able to showcase the best South Africa has to offer.
We feel wine should be a history lesson of what the vine has experienced over the year, whether good or bad. No year is ever the same. Our wines are never going to be consistent. We don’t want to make wine to a recipe; we want to make natural, site-specific, vintage driven wines.
We’ve selected vineyards suited in terms of climate and soil to the varietals we make. We’ve looked for older vines which tell the story of the vintage through their well-established root systems, gnarled trunks and lower yields.”
“…all [Jocelyn’s] wines have a quiet classiness about them…”
― Christian Eedes, Winemag
History
Jocelyn was appointed Head Winemaker of La Bri in Franschhoek straight after graduating from Stellenbosch. She made several critically-acclaimed vintages there before deciding to take a break from vinous pursuits to start a family.
She burst back on the scene a few years later at Cape Wine 2015 brandishing her new Hogan Chenin Blanc 2014 from a single site in the Swartland – which quickly sold out.
Since then she has added several other wines to her range.
Divergent – originally inspired by the old great South African Cabernet Sauvignon/Cinsaut blends of yesteryear; and then diverted into including Carignan by a tasting with the late, great Serge Hochar of Chateau Musar. This 2019 vintage was awarded 5 Stars in 2022 Platter’s Guide. Jocelyn holds this wine back by a year (compared with her others) as the tannins need extra time in bottle to harmonise.
The Galvanised Chardonnay – named after a pumping Chemical Brothers track that helps Jocelyn get through harvest during late night pressing sessions. Also alludes to the blending of the different parcels being “stronger” than any one of them individually.
Mirror For The Sun Cabernet Franc – a vineyard at the top of the Helderberg with another musical reference, this time from the Red Hot Chili Peppers. It refers to the leaf-plucking Jocelyn employs in the vineyard so the grapes can soak up the sun in an attempt get rid of any aggressive pyrazine character (greenness).
The new releases
Hogan 'The Galvanised' Chardonnay 2020
Wine of Origin: Cape Coast (54% Elandskloof, 23% Helderberg, 23% Banhoek)
Technical analysis
pH: 3.4
TA: 5.2 g/l
RS: 2.8 g/l
Alc: 12.0%
The grapes were sourced from three different sites. The Helderberg portion was picked on 23 January from Rustenhof farm. This is a young-trellised vineyard on decomposed granite soils. The Banhoek portion was picked on 18 Feburary from Summercourt farm. This is a 16-year-old, trellised vineyard on a richer, clay soil. The Elandskloof portion, from a cool, high-altitude site, was picked on 13 March.
Grapes went into a cold room overnight at 10 degrees Celsius. The following day, the grapes were gently whole bunch pressed. The juice was settled overnight at 10 degrees. It then went to barrel for natural fermentation in 100% old French oak barrels followed by natural malolactic fermentation. As little batonage as possible. 11 months in oak.
Awards/Ratings
Tim Atkin South Africa 2021 Special report: 92 points
Platter’s Guide 2022: 94 points (4.5 stars)
Winemag: 93 points
Hogan Chenin Blanc 2020
Wine of Origin: Swartland
Technical analysis
pH: 3.41
TA: 5.4 g/l
RS: 1.3 g/l
Alc: 12.0%
The Chenin blanc grapes were handpicked in early February from old, bush vines, planted on decomposed granite from Joubertskloof in Swartland, delivering only 2 tons/ha (11hL/ha). The vineyard block is irrigated and is east facing which contributes to the favourably low pH.
After picking, the grapes were then cooled overnight to 10 degrees celcius and hand-sorted the next day followed by a gentle whole bunch press. No sulphur or any other additions were made to the must at pressing. Natural fermentation took place in 225L and 300L French oak barrels followed by natural malolactic fermentation (after which the wine received the first sulphur addition). The wine was racked off the gross lees in early January 2021 and bottled later that month.
Awards/Ratings
Tim Atkin South Africa 2021 Special report: September 2021: 93 points
Platter’s Guide 2022: 93 points (4.5 stars)
Winemag: 95 points
Hogan 'Mirror For The Sun' Cabernet Franc 2020
Wine of Origin: Stellenbosch
Technical analysis
pH: 3.41
TA: 5.6 g/l
RS: 2.3 g/l
Alc: 14.5%
The Cabernet Franc grapes are sourced from 11-year-old, trellised vines from the lower Helderberg on granitic soils. The vineyard is 2km from the coast. The maritime effect is most favourable, especially in the hot February-March months in Stellenbosch. Leaf removal in the bunch zone (during November/December) is an important practice in this vineyard to let enough sun in to prevent vegetal flavours.
The grapes were picked on 12 February 2020. They were sorted and crushed (no whole bunch). Spontaneous fermentation took place in open top fermenters with very soft handling during fermentation, only two punch downs per day. The wine was matured in 225L older French oak barrels, and was only racked once, in June after malolactic fermentation. The wine was sent thorough a rough filter before bottling in January 2021.
Awards/Ratings
Tim Atkin South Africa 2020 Special report: September 2021: 93 points
Platter’s Guide 2022: 94 points (4.5 stars)
Winemag: 90 points
Hogan 'Divergent' 2019
Wine of Origin: Coastal Region
Technical analysis
pH: 3.45
TA: 5.8 g/l
RS: 1.7 g/l
Alc: 13.0%
The Divergent blend comprises of 34% Cabernet Sauvignon, 34% Cinsaut and 32% Carignan. The Carignan was picked first towards the end of January from 16 year old, unirrigated bush vines from Wellington. The Cinsaut, from the Helderberg region, was then picked in mid – February. These are 44-year old, unirrigated bush vines. Lastly, the Cabernet Sauvignon was picked early-March from 20-year old trellised and irrigated vines at 295m alititude on from the Stellenbosch region (Polkadraai)
All components were crushed and destemmed (except for the Cinsaut which was 30% whole bunch) and naturally fermented. After fermentation the different varietals were pressed and kept separate in 225L barrels. In June the barrels were first racked and the Divergent blend was made up in August after which the wine spent a further 4 months in barrel until bottling early January 2020.
Awards/Ratings
Tim Atkin South Africa 2020 Special report: September 2020: 91 points
Platter’s Guide 2022: 95 points (5 stars)
Winemag: 94 points
The full range of Hogan Wines is available HERE
Please contact david@exanimo.co.za if you have any queries.