The new vintages of the top wines from Luddite are ready to order. The winemaking team of father and daughter, Niels and Alice Verburg, working with the fruit farmed by wife and mother Penny is a lethal combination. The Luddites don’t do half measures nor banality. These are people and wines of character and quality.
The Luddite Shiraz is a benchmark of the variety in South Africa, and the 2017 looks to be among the best vintages of this label to date. It sits alongside the 2014 as the best young vintage of this wine we have sold. The majesty of the 2017 vintage is evident – this wine will go for decades … hugely impressive.
The Chenin Blanc (when released) is produced in minuscule quantities and sells out on release. It is always an esoteric offering, those that like firm structure; a bit of reductive tang, and minerality for days will be very, very happy.
The wines
Luddite Shiraz 2017
Notes by Luddite:
The 2017 vintage was characterised by very hot, dry conditions in the lead up to harvest. However January and February were relatively cool and this allowed the grapes to ripen slower than initially thought. Due to this coolness, the natural acidity remained high which lifted the overall quality of the fruit. We had a slightly bigger crop than the previous two vintages so we could pick both the old and young block separately. Some ferments received up to 30% whole bunches.
After five weeks on skins, the wine was racked into a combination of 1st, 2nd 3rd and 4th fill barrels (32% new) where it spent two years’ elevage.
Incredibly dark plum in colour with purple edges. Floral nose, with sweet fruit, cinnamon, a touch of vanilla and fynbos. The palate is big and juicy on entry with beautifully abundant structure of tannin and acid framing the mid-palate of dark, velvety fruit. Long finish, pure class.
Luddite Chenin Blanc 2020
Notes by Luddite:
Our 9th vintage and we continue to polish our established house style that works for our Chenin Blanc. Keeping it simple, crush, de-stalk and allowing it to ferment naturally in open fermenters.
Once fermentation starts we punch-down twice a day to keep the fermentation homogenous. Post-fermentation we seal the bins for as long as our nerves hold. in 2020 it was 22 days maceration.
We press directly into barrel with as much sediment as possible. This allows the wine to fill out and add texture with regular batonnage.
Precise, patient but allowing the wine to speak for itself. The 2020 vintage is only 11.5% alcohol and has 1g residual sugar. This was the first time the Dog Block ended up in the wine, getting it an extra mineral push.
The wine has a rich, golden straw hue, and is spicy, savoury and nutty with a hint of greengage on the nose. This opens up to white fruits of peaches and pears. The palate is grippy and textured. Amazing palate weight and mouth feel for the light alcohol. Fruit, spice and mineral finish.
New Luddite Vintages
Chenin Blanc 2020 & Shiraz 2017
The new vintages of the top wines from Luddite are ready to order. The winemaking team of father and daughter, Niels and Alice Verburg, working with the fruit farmed by wife and mother Penny is a lethal combination. The Luddites don’t do half measures nor banality. These are people and wines of character and quality.
The Luddite Shiraz is a benchmark of the variety in South Africa, and the 2017 looks to be among the best vintages of this label to date. It sits alongside the 2014 as the best young vintage of this wine we have sold. The majesty of the 2017 vintage is evident – this wine will go for decades … hugely impressive.
The Chenin Blanc (when released) is produced in minuscule quantities and sells out on release. It is always an esoteric offering, those that like firm structure; a bit of reductive tang, and minerality for days will be very, very happy.
The wines
Luddite Shiraz 2017
Notes by Luddite:
The 2017 vintage was characterised by very hot, dry conditions in the lead up to harvest. However January and February were relatively cool and this allowed the grapes to ripen slower than initially thought. Due to this coolness, the natural acidity remained high which lifted the overall quality of the fruit. We had a slightly bigger crop than the previous two vintages so we could pick both the old and young block separately. Some ferments received up to 30% whole bunches.
After five weeks on skins, the wine was racked into a combination of 1st, 2nd 3rd and 4th fill barrels (32% new) where it spent two years’ elevage.
Incredibly dark plum in colour with purple edges. Floral nose, with sweet fruit, cinnamon, a touch of vanilla and fynbos. The palate is big and juicy on entry with beautifully abundant structure of tannin and acid framing the mid-palate of dark, velvety fruit. Long finish, pure class.
Luddite Chenin Blanc 2020
Notes by Luddite:
Our 9th vintage and we continue to polish our established house style that works for our Chenin Blanc. Keeping it simple, crush, de-stalk and allowing it to ferment naturally in open fermenters.
Once fermentation starts we punch-down twice a day to keep the fermentation homogenous. Post-fermentation we seal the bins for as long as our nerves hold. in 2020 it was 22 days maceration.
We press directly into barrel with as much sediment as possible. This allows the wine to fill out and add texture with regular batonnage.
Precise, patient but allowing the wine to speak for itself. The 2020 vintage is only 11.5% alcohol and has 1g residual sugar. This was the first time the Dog Block ended up in the wine, getting it an extra mineral push.
The wine has a rich, golden straw hue, and is spicy, savoury and nutty with a hint of greengage on the nose. This opens up to white fruits of peaches and pears. The palate is grippy and textured. Amazing palate weight and mouth feel for the light alcohol. Fruit, spice and mineral finish.
Also available from Luddite:
Luddite Shiraz 2010
R1,080.00Please contact david@exanimo.co.za if you have any queries.