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In our video, made in 2022, we discuss how Baleia was an isolated little estate about 300km from Cape Town, and how Gunther Schulz and the team were putting their isolation to good use by delivering some insane wines out of the unique terroir…
BUT that has all changed, as some really exciting winemakers are exploring the fascinating terroir of the region; not least of all the award-winning winemaker, Trizanne Barnard, who makes an incredible Chardonnay (wine of Origin Lower Duiwenhoksrivier) and the exciting single-site Chardonnay specialists Atlas Swift.
The frontier now moves Eastward towards regions like Stilbaai and the Goukou River valley where things are really heating up. WATCH THIS SPACE!

Back to the Baleia

 The Vinho Rochas is a particularly unusual red blend, but the more you get to know the estate, the more obvious it becomes why it works so well. Winemaker Gunther Schulz seems to be coming into his own right now, and I look forward to showcasing more of his wines in the future. But for now…the Vinho Rochas 2021!

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TASTING NOTES

👃🏼 – Pepper, cherries, cloves, lavender and savoury roasted plum, but also with a spritz of lighter raspberry elements in there.
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👄 – This is a salty sea dog if ever there was on. The palate is supremely silky, with medium-weighted red, combining the pepper spice, clove and light lavender elements of syrah with tempranillo’s moody savoury roasted fruit and leather elements, all rounded out by black cherry and plum fruit and very pronounced brininess, which adds a whole new level of complexity to the wine.