Jean Roi Cap Provincial Rosé 2021 [sample]
It's not often that I get the chance to compare vintages. The lovely team at Anthonij Rupert Wines were kind enough to send me a beautiful basket that included the latest release of the Jean Roi Cap Provincial Rosé which gave me a chance to compare the wine to their 2018 vintage.
The Wine:
Pale salmon in colour with a pronounced nose of dried rose petals, stewed strawberries, dried peaches, red apples, nutmeg, orange sherbet, and some nuttiness too.
Dry, high acidity, and medium alcohol. It has the same wonderful slinky texture that I previously enjoyed, the same opulent (for a rosé) body, and the same decadently long finish that introduces fynbos, and a twist of grape fruit peel to the fruit.
Conclusion:
Balance (1) + Length (1) + Intensity (½) + Complexity (½) = A very good wine
Viti + Vini:
64% Grenache, 25% Shiraz, 11% Cinsault grapes are gently pressed, then overnight settling. The focus is on minimising colour extraction. Spontaneous indigenous yeast fermentation in 50% of the blend. The wine is kept on its fine lees for 5 months - 78% in stainless steel and 22% in old French oak puncheons - before blending and bottling.
Final thoughts:
I had to reread my notes on the 2018 (also gifted to me a year ago) as it made sense to compare the vintages: this time there was less elderflower and more musk, the minerality is still present but more distant, and a deeper musky, potpourri, rose petal, spice note seems to dominate the brighter notes I picked up in the ‘18. We all know I’m a firm believer in moods and the biodynamic calendar, but 2018 was also the tail end of our epic drought and the proportions of the grapes used are different in the 2021.
It’s still a serious rosé with a fantastic mouthfeel and some complexity...at a more premium price point that suits gifting and special occasions.
Many thanks to the Anthonij Rupert team for the beautifully presented gift and yummy snacks.
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